Cell cholesterol efflux: integration of old and new observations provides new insights

TLDR

Cholesterol efflux differs among cell types and acceptors, with diverse mechanisms such as cyclodextrins and serum influencing the process. The study aims to integrate past and recent observations to develop a comprehensive model of cell cholesterol efflux. The proposed model incorporates aqueous diffusion, lipid‑free apolipoprotein microsolubilization, and SR‑BI‑mediated exchange, with each mechanism’s contribution varying by cell type and acceptor. Published in J.

Abstract

Numerous studies using a variety of cell/acceptor combinations have demonstrated differences in cholesterol efflux among cells. These studies also show that different acceptors, ranging from simple molecules like cyclodextrins to serum, stimulate efflux through a variety of mechanisms. By combining early observations with data derived from recent studies, it is now possible to formulate a model for cell cholesterol efflux which proposes that an array of different mechanisms, including aqueous diffusion, lipid-free apolipoprotein membrane microsolubilization, and SR-BI-mediated cholesterol exchange contribute to cholesterol flux. In this model the relative importance of each mechanism would be determined both by the cell type and the nature of the extracellular cholesterol acceptor.—Rothblat, G. H., M. de la Llera-Moya, V. Atger, G. Kellner-Weibel, D. L. Williams, and M. C. Phillips. Cell cholesterol efflux: integration of old and new observations provides new insights. J. Lipid Res. 1999. 40: 781–796.