Riikka Vikstedt

Phospholipid Transfer Protein and Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein: the Role in Reverse Cholesterol Transport Riikka Vikstedt

Cardiovascular diseases are an important cause of mortality worldwide. They are an entity of diseases of the heart and vasculature, mainly caused by atherosclerosis. In atherosclerosis, cholesterol accumulates in the vessel wall, mainly in the form of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) protects against atherosclerosis, as HDL particles accept cellular cholesterol and transport it to the liver for excretion in a process called reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) are two key lipid transfer proteins responsible for the remodeling of HDL particles. The aim of this thesis was to clarify the role of PLTP and CETP in RCT. The results indicate that both PLTP and CETP can remodel HDL as a cholesterol acceptor, which affects the removal of cholesterol from foam cells. This thesis is useful to anyone interested in lipid metabolism. It gives the reader a basic knowledge about the development of atherosclerosis and factors affecting that. It is also useful to professionals giving also a deeper insight to the world of lipid metabolism.