HDL Composition
HDL Composition Project
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the "good cholesterol" because of its role in reverse cholesterol transport, or the process by which cholesterol is transported from the tissues to the liver for excretion via bile. There is a strong association between high HDL cholesterol in plasma and protection against heart disease. In addition to its well-known role in reverse cholesterol transport, HDL also plays an important role as an innate immune particle, protecting against blood-borne infectious substances and organisms that play a role in the immune/inflammatory aspects of heart disease. Recent evidence shows that the specific composition of HDL alters its capacity to participate in reverse cholesterol transport and in its function related to protection against pathogens. The aim of the HDL Composition project is to understand how dietary factors affect HDL composition, and to develop novel assessment technologies to evaluate HDL composition and its implications to health and metabolism.
