Human Lipoprotein Research Articles

Heparan Sulfate in Perlecan Promotes Mouse Atherosclerosis: Roles in Lipid Permeability, Lipid Retention, and Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation

Heparan sulfate (HS) has been proposed to be antiatherogenic through inhibition of lipoprotein retention, inflammation, and smooth muscle cell proliferation. Perlecan is the predominant HS proteoglycan in the artery wall. Here, we investigated the role of perlecan HS chains using apoE null (ApoE0) mice that were cross-bred with mice expressing HS-deficient perlecan (Hspg2(Delta3/Delta3)). Morphometry of cross-sections from aortic roots and en face preparations of whole aortas revealed a significant decrease in lesion formation in ApoE0/Hspg2(Delta3/Delta3) mice at both 15 and 33 weeks. In vitro, binding of labeled mouse triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and human LDL to total extracellular matrix, as well as to purified proteoglycans, prepared from ApoE0/Hspg2(Delta3/Delta3) smooth muscle cells was reduced. In vivo, at 20 minutes influx of human (125)I-LDL or mouse triglyceride-rich lipoproteins into the aortic wall was increased in ApoE0/Hspg2(Delta3/Delta3) mice compared to ApoE0 mice. However, at 72 hours accumulation of (125)I-LDL was similar in ApoE0/Hspg2(Delta3/Delta3) and ApoE0 mice. Immunohistochemistry of lesions from ApoE0/Hspg2(Delta3/Delta3) mice showed decreased staining for apoB and increased smooth muscle alpha-actin content, whereas accumulation of CD68-positive inflammatory cells was unchanged. We conclude that the perlecan HS chains are proatherogenic in mice, possibly through increased lipoprotein retention, altered vascular permeability, or other mechanisms. The ability of HS to inhibit smooth muscle cell growth may also influence development as well as instability of lesions.

Quantifying size distributions of nanolipoprotein particles with single-particle analysis and molecular dynamic simulations

Self-assembly of purified apolipoproteins and phospholipids results in the formation of nanometer-sized lipoprotein complexes, referred to as nanolipoprotein particles (NLPs). These bilayer constructs are fully soluble in aqueous environments and hold great promise as a model system to aid in solubilizing membrane proteins. Size variability in the self-assembly process has been recognized for some time, yet limited studies have been conducted to examine this phenomenon. Understanding the source of this heterogeneity may lead to methods to mitigate heterogeneity or to control NLP size, which may be important for tailoring NLPs for specific membrane proteins. Here, we have used atomic force microscopy, ion mobility spectrometry, and transmission electron microscopy to quantify NLP size distributions on the single-particle scale, specifically focusing on assemblies with 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC) and a recombinant apolipoprotein E variant containing the N-terminal 22 kDa fragment (E422k). Four discrete sizes of E422k/DMPC NLPs were identified by all three techniques, with diameters centered at approximately 14.5, 19, 23.5, and 28 nm. Computer simulations suggest that these sizes are related to the structure and number of E422k lipoproteins surrounding the NLPs and particles with an odd number of lipoproteins are consistent with the double-belt model, in which at least one lipoprotein adopts a hairpin structure.

A novel method for measuring human lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities in postheparin plasma

The objective of this study was to establish a new lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) activity assay method. Seventy normal volunteers were recruited. Lipase activities were assayed by measuring the increase in absorbance at 546 nm due to the quinoneine dye. Reaction mixture-1 (R-1) contained dioleoylglycerol solubilized with lauryldimethylaminobetaine, monoacylglycerol-specific lipase, glycerolkinase, glycerol-3-phosphate oxidase, peroxidase, ascorbic acid oxidase, and apolipoprotein C-II (apoC-II). R-2 contained Tris-HCl (pH 8.7) and 4-aminoantipyrine. Automated assay of lipase activities was performed with an automatic clinical analyzer. In the assay for HL + LPL activity, 160 microl R-1 was incubated at 37 degrees C with 2 microl of sample for 5 min, and 80 microl R-2 was added. HL activities were measured under the same conditions without apoC-II. HL and LPL activities were also measured by the conventional isotope method and for HL mass by ELISA. Lipase activity detected in a 1.6 M NaCl-eluted fraction from a heparin-Sepharose column was enhanced by adding purified apoC-II in a dose-dependent manner, whereas that eluted by 0.8 M NaCl was not. Postheparin plasma-LPL and HL activities measured in the present automated method had high correlations with those measured by conventional activity and mass methods. This automated assay method for LPL and HL activities is simple and reliable and can be applied to an automatic clinical analyzer.

Lipoprotein separation in a novel iodixanol density gradient, for composition, density, and phenotype analysis

Separation of lipoproteins by traditional sequential salt density floatation is a prolonged process ( approximately 72 h) with variable recovery, whereas iodixanol-based, self-generating density gradients provide a rapid ( approximately 4 h) alternative. A novel, three-layered iodixanol gradient was evaluated for its ability to separate lipoprotein fractions in 63 subjects with varying degrees of dyslipidemia. Lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoproteins were measured in 21 successive iodixanol density fractions. Iodixanol fractionation was compared with sequential floatation ultracentrifugation. Iodixanol gradient formation showed a coefficient of variation of 0.29% and total lipid recovery from the gradient of 95.4% for cholesterol and 84.7% for triglyceride. Recoveries for VLDL-, LDL-, and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoproteins were approximately 10% higher with iodixanol compared with sequential floatation. The iodixanol gradient effectively discriminated classic lipoproteins and their subfractions, and there was evidence for improved resolution of lipoproteins with the iodixanol gradient. LDL particles subfractionated by the gradient showed good correlation between density and particle size with small, dense LDL (<25.5 nm) separated in fractions with density >1.028 g/dl. The new iodixanol density gradient enabled rapid separation with improved resolution and recovery of all lipoproteins and their subfractions, providing important information with regard to LDL phenotype from a single centrifugation step with minimal in-vitro modification of lipoproteins.

Vitamin E Transfer from Lipid Emulsions to Plasma Lipoproteins: Mediation by Multiple Mechanisms

The present study determined alpha-tocopherol mass transfer from an alpha-tocopherol-rich emulsion to LDL and HDL, and assessed the potential of different mechanisms to modulate alpha-tocopherol transfers. Emulsion particles rich in alpha-tocopherol were incubated in vitro with physiological concentrations of LDL or HDL. The influence of plasma proteins was assessed by adding human lipoprotein poor plasma (LPP) fraction with intact vs heat inactivated PLTP, or with a specific cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitor, or by adding purified PLTP or pig LPP which lacks CETP activity. After 4 h incubation in absence of LPP, alpha-tocopherol content was increased by ~80% in LDL and ~160% in HDL. Addition of LPP markedly enhanced alpha-tocopherol transfer leading to 350-400% enrichment in LDL or HDL at 4 h. Higher (~10 fold) enrichment was achieved after 20 h incubation with LPP. Facilitation of alpha-tocopherol transfer was (i) more than 50% higher with human vs pig LPP (despite similar PLTP phospholipid transfer activity), (ii) reduced by specific CETP activity inhibition, (iii) not fully suppressed by heat inactivation, and (iv) not restored by purified PLTP. In conclusion, alpha-tocopherol content in LDL and HDL can be markedly raised by rapid transfer from an alpha-tocopherol-rich emulsion. Our results indicate that alpha-tocopherol mass transfer between emulsion particles and lipoproteins is mediated by more than one single mechanism and that this transfer may be facilitated not only by PLTP but likely also by other plasma proteins such as CETP.

Computational Lipidology: Predicting Lipoprotein Density Profiles in Human Blood Plasma

Monitoring cholesterol levels is strongly recommended to identify patients at risk for myocardial infarction. However, clinical markers beyond “bad” and “good” cholesterol are needed to precisely predict individual lipid disorders. Our work contributes to this aim by bringing together experiment and theory. We developed a novel computer-based model of the human plasma lipoprotein metabolism in order to simulate the blood lipid levels in high resolution. Instead of focusing on a few conventionally used predefined lipoprotein density classes (LDL, HDL), we consider the entire protein and lipid composition spectrum of individual lipoprotein complexes. Subsequently, their distribution over density (which equals the lipoprotein profile) is calculated. As our main results, we (i) successfully reproduced clinically measured lipoprotein profiles of healthy subjects; (ii) assigned lipoproteins to narrow density classes, named high-resolution density sub-fractions (hrDS), revealing heterogeneous lipoprotein distributions within the major lipoprotein classes; and (iii) present model-based predictions of changes in the lipoprotein distribution elicited by disorders in underlying molecular processes. In its present state, the model offers a platform for many future applications aimed at understanding the reasons for inter-individual variability, identifying new sub-fractions of potential clinical relevance and a patient-oriented diagnosis of the potential molecular causes for individual dyslipidemia.

A Haptoglobin-Hemoglobin Receptor Conveys Innate Immunity to Trypanosoma brucei in Humans

The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei is lysed by apolipoprotein L-I, a component of human high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles that are also characterized by the presence of haptoglobin-related protein. We report that this process is mediated by a parasite glycoprotein receptor, which binds the haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex with high affinity for the uptake and incorporation of heme into intracellular hemoproteins. In mice, this receptor was required for optimal parasite growth and the resistance of parasites to the oxidative burst by host macrophages. In humans, the trypanosome receptor also recognized the complex between hemoglobin and haptoglobin-related protein, which explains its ability to capture trypanolytic HDLs. Thus, in humans the presence of haptoglobin-related protein has diverted the function of the trypanosome haptoglobin-hemoglobin receptor to elicit innate host immunity against the parasite.

A simple and precise method for measuring HDL-cholesterol subfractions by a single precipitation followed by homogenous HDL-cholesterol assay

HDL consists of two major subfractions, HDL2 and HDL3. This paper describes a simple method for assaying HDL subspecies by combining a single precipitation with a direct high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) assay. A precipitation reagent (0.06 ml) containing 1,071 U/ml heparin, 500 mmol/l MnCl2) and 12 mg/ml dextran sulfate was added to a serum (0.3 ml). The sample was incubated and centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 10 min. HDL3-C was measured by a homogenous HDL-C assay in the supernatant, and HDL2-C was estimated by subtracting the HDL3-C from the direct HDL-C. The HDL3-C and HDL2-C values determined by the precipitation method were identical to those determined by ultracentrifugation, and there were excellent correlations between the methods in the measurements of HDL3-C and HDL2-C (r = 0.933 and 0.978, respectively; n = 102). The two methods also proved to be highly correlated in the measurement of apolipoprotein A-I and A-II in HDL subfractions. The HDL-C subfractions determined by ultracentrifugation were more closely associated with the homogenous HDL-C assay than with the total cholesterol assay, especially in the hypertriglyceridemic samples. Our method is far simpler and more precise than the classical dual precipitation method for HDL-C subfractions, and it can be easily performed in a routine chemical laboratory.

Estimating LDL ApoB: Infomania or Clinical Advance?

Epidemiological and clinical studies have consistently demonstrated that increased concentrations of LDL cholesterol in plasma are associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).1 The reference method for LDL cholesterol is β-quantification, a method developed by the CDC that requires ultracentrifugation and is accordingly labor intensive, time consuming, and expensive. Thus, in routine clinical laboratory practice, LDL cholesterol is estimated by the Friedewald formula(1). This equation requires the measurement of total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, together with a calculation factor that estimates the concentration of cholesterol in very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). However, this formula is not valid for nonfasting patients, when plasma triglyceride concentrations are ≥4.5 mmol/L (400 mg/dL), in familial dysbetalipoproteinemia, or when there is abnormal VLDL composition. Direct measures of LDL cholesterol are available, but they are not standardized and are expensive. Apolipoprotein B (apoB), a large amphipathic glycoprotein, plays a central role in human lipoprotein metabolism(2). The APOB gene is located on chromosome 2 and produces, via a unique mRNA editing process, two forms of apoB in circulating lipoproteins, apoB-48 and apoB-100(3). ApoB-48 is the truncated form of apoB-100 consisting of the N-terminal 48% of full-length apoB-100. ApoB-48 is synthesized in the intestine and is essential for the formation and secretion of chylomicrons. ApoB-100 is synthesized in the liver and is an essential structural and functional component of VLDL and its metabolic products, intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL) and LDL, being the ligand for the LDL receptor. Essentially all circulating apoB is associated with lipoproteins, and unlike most other apoproteins, apoB cannot exchange freely among lipoprotein particles(2)(3). VLDL, IDL, LDL, and lipoprotein each contain one molecule of apoB-100. Similarly, chylomicrons and their remnants contain a single molecule of apoB-48. Hence, plasma apoB concentrations reflect the total number of atherogenic particles present …

Acute Elevation of Plasma PLTP Activity Strongly Increases Pre-existing Atherosclerosis

A transgenic mouse model was generated that allows conditional expression of human PLTP, based on the tetracycline-responsive gene system, to study the effects of an acute increase in plasma PLTP activity as may occur in inflammation. The effects of an acute elevation of plasma PLTP activity on the metabolism of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins and on diet-induced pre-existing atherosclerosis were determined in mice displaying a humanized lipoprotein profile (low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout background). Induced expression of PLTP strongly increases plasma VLDL levels in LDL receptor knockout mice, whereas VLDL secretion is not affected. The elevation in plasma triglyceride levels is explained by a PLTP-dependent inhibition of VLDL catabolism, which is caused, at least partly, by a decreased lipoprotein lipase activity. Together with the decreased plasma HDL levels, the acutely increased PLTP expression results in a highly atherogenic lipoprotein profile. Induction of PLTP expression leads to a further increase in size of pre-existing atherosclerotic lesions, even on a chow diet. In addition, the lesions contain more macrophages and less collagen relative to controls, suggesting a less stable lesion phenotype. In conclusion, acute elevation of PLTP activity destabilizes atherosclerotic lesions and aggravates pre-existing atherosclerosis.

New Stemona Alkaloids from the Roots of Stemona sessilifolia

From the roots of Stemona sessilifolia, three new stemona-type alkaloids, namely stemosessifoine (1), isooxymaistemonine (2), and isomaistemonine (3), along with eight known alkaloids (bisdehydrostemoninine, isobisdehydrostemoninine, tuberostemonine, bisdehydrotuberostemonine, bisdehydrostemoninine, isobisdehydrostemoninine, stemoninine, and protostemonine), were isolated. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive 2D-NMR spectroscopic-data analysis and by comparison with reported values in the literature. Compound 1 is a structurally unprecedented alkaloid, and it is depicted to be bioconverted from tuberostemonine as the precursor. Isooxymaistemonine (2) showed a positive effect on the human high-density lipoprotein (HDL) receptor gene CD36 and LIMP II analogous-1 (CLA-1) at the dosage of 10 microg/ml.

Increased thermoregulation in cold-exposed transgenic mice overexpressing lipoprotein lipase in skeletal muscle: an avian phenotype?

LPL is an enzyme involved in the breakdown and uptake of lipoprotein triglycerides. In the present study, we examined how the transgenic (Tg) overexpression of human LPL in mouse skeletal muscle affected tolerance to cold temperatures, cold-induced thermogenesis, and fuel utilization during this response. Tg mice and their nontransgenic controls were placed in an environmental chamber and housed in metabolic chambers that monitored oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production with calorimetry. When exposed to 4 degrees C, an attenuation in the decline in body temperature in Tg mice was accompanied by an increased metabolic rate (15%; P < 0.001) and a reduction in respiratory quotient (P < 0.05). Activity levels, the expression of uncoupling proteins in brown fat and muscle, and lean mass failed to explain the enhanced cold tolerance and thermogenesis in Tg mice. The more oxidative type IIa fibers were favored over the more glycolytic type IIb fibers (P < 0.001) in the gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles of Tg mice. These data suggest that Tg overexpression of LPL in skeletal muscle increases cold tolerance by enhancing the capacity for fat oxidation, producing an avian-like phenotype in which skeletal muscle contributes significantly to the thermogenic response to cold temperatures.

Carotenoid Uptake by Human Triacylglycerol-Rich Lipoproteins from the Green Leafy Vegetable Eruca sativa

Carotenoid absorbability from arugula (Eruca sativa) was estimated from the contents of the triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins (TRL) of 15 women over a 6 h time interval, yielding an average apparent absorption of 0.27 μmole of β-carotene (5.6 μmole intake), whereas a similar intake of standard β-carotene resulted in the absorption of 0.59 μmole. The corresponding rates for the raw and cooked leaves were 18.2 ± 7 and 22.9 ± 13nmole·L−1h−1 (P < 0.05), against 37.1 ± 12nmole·L−1h−1 for β-carotene capsules. For lutein, the apparent mean uptakes were 5.6 ± 4 and 6.7 ± 4nmole·L−1h−1, for the raw and cooked, respectively. It was concluded that the relative loading of β-carotene onto TRLs is favored over that of lutein and that absorbability of these arugula carotenoids by normal adults is substantial.

Scavenger Receptor Class B Is Required for Hepatitis C Virus Uptake and Cross-Presentation by Human Dendritic Cells

Class B scavenger receptors (SR-Bs) bind lipoproteins and play an important role in lipid metabolism. Most recently, SR-B type I (SR-BI) and its splicing variant SR-BII have been found to mediate bacterial adhesion and cytosolic bacterial invasion in mammalian cells. In this study, we demonstrate that SR-BI is a key host factor required for hepatitis C virus (HCV) uptake and cross-presentation by human dendritic cells (DCs). Whereas monocytes and T and B cells were characterized by very low or undetectable SR-BI expression levels, human DCs demonstrated a high level of cell surface expression of SR-BI similar to that of primary human hepatocytes. Antibodies targeting the extracellular loop of SR-BI efficiently inhibited HCV-like particle binding, uptake, and cross-presentation by human DCs. Moreover, human high-density lipoprotein specifically modulated HCV-like particle binding to DCs, indicating an interplay of HCV with the lipid transfer function of SR-BI in DCs. Finally, we demonstrate that anti-SR-BI antibodies inhibit the uptake of cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc) in DCs. In conclusion, these findings identify a novel function of SR-BI for viral antigen uptake and recognition and may have an important impact on the design of HCV vaccines and immunotherapeutic approaches aiming at the induction of efficient antiviral immune responses.

Silver staining of an esterase compatible with activity and mass spectrometry analysis after separation using non-denaturing two-dimensional electrophoresis

Background Enzyme activity is normally lost when formaldehyde is used as a reductant for silver staining after separation by electrophoresis. Hydrolytic activity of esterases can be examined on membranes without impairing enzyme activity when another reductant such as glucose is used for silver staining of the enzyme after separation by non-denaturing two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and subsequent transfer. Methods The hydrolysis of lipids in human high density lipoprotein (HDL) by esterases first separated on a polyvinylidene fluoride membrane using non-denaturing 2-DE and silver stained using glucose as a reductant was examined. Results Esterase activity was retained after glucose was used as a silver reductant for silver staining after separation using non-denaturing 2-DE. Lipids of HDL were removed by the esterases retained on the membrane after esterases were separated by 2-DE. Conclusion The results indicated that hydrolytic enzyme activity is retained after separation, staining and immobilization.

Inhibition of Human Low Density Lipoprotein and High Density Lipoprotein Oxidation by Oligostilbenes from Rhubarb

The objective of the present study was to elucidate the beneficial properties of ampelopsine B (1) and epsilon-Viniferin (2), two oligostilbenes isolated from rhubarb, toward cardiovascular disease by protecting human lipoproteins against lipid peroxidation. In low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, both 1 and 2 exert an inhibitory activity against Cu(2+)-, 2,2'-azobis-(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH)-induced, as exhibited by prolongation of lag time from 52 to 118 and 136 min, respectively, and also increasing the lag time 38 to 105 and 128 min in high density lipoprotein (HDL) oxidation for 1 and 2, respectively, at the concentration of 3.0 microM. In generation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), compounds 1 and 2 inhibited LDL oxidation mediated by either catalytic Cu(2+) or thermo-labile radical initiator (AAPH) in a dose-dependent manner with IC(50) values of 3.6 and 6.0 microM for 1, and 1.7 and 3.2 microM for 2, respectively. In addition, compounds 1-2 also showed strong ability to protect HDL oxidation induced by both Cu(2+) and AAPH with low IC(50) values. The results suggest that oligostilbenes 1-2 may have a role in preventing lipoprotein oxidation.

Effect of acylethanolamides on lipid peroxidation and paraoxonase activity

N-acylethanolamides (NAEs) are hydrophobic molecules synthesized in many tissues. An increase in the plasma levels of NAEs has been observed in human diseases. Previous studies have suggested that NAEs could exert a protective effect against oxidative stress. Aim of the study was to investigate whether NAEs (oleoylethanolamide, palmitoylethanolamide and anandamide), differing for acyl chain length and unsaturation, exert a protective role against plasma lipid peroxidation triggered by incubation with Cu2+2 or AAPH (2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride). Moreover, we investigated the effect of NAEs on the activity of HDL-associated paraoxonase (PON1), an enzyme involved in the antioxidant end anti-inflammatory role of human high density lipoproteins (HDL). The results demonstrated that the NAEs protect plasma lipids and PON1 activity against AAPH and/or copper-induced oxidation.

Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Induced VCAM-l Expression is Inhibited by High Density Lipoprotein in Human Astroglioma Cells

Astrocytes, the major glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS), can express vascular cell adhesion molecule-l (YCAM-l) in response to cytokines, such as TNF-a. In CNS, an increased YCAM-l expression may contribute to inflammatory processes. We, in the present study, have examined the effect of human plasma High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) and other lipoproteins on YCAM-l expression in astroglioma cells since astrocytes secrete HDL-like lipoprotein particles which contain apo E and cholesterol, phospholipid. The exposure of astroglioma cells to the major plasma lipoprotein fractions (YLDL, LDL and HDL) had no effect on the YCAM-l expression. However, TNF-a-induced YCAM-l was inhibited by HDL in a dose-dependent manner, but not by YLDL or LDL. The inhibitory effect of HDL on TNF-α-induced YCAM-l was reversed by the inclusion of Apo A-I antibody, the major apolipoprotein of HDL, demonstrating the specificity of this response. Reconstituted HDL (discoidal complex of apo HDL and DMPC), but not apo HDL or DMPC, was effective in suppressing the YCAM-l expression. RNase protection assay (RPA) revealed that TNF-ainduced YCAM-l mRNA expression was markedly inhibited by HDL (500㎍ cholesterol/㎖). These results indicate that HDL-like particles in the CNS may function as an immunosuppressive molecule in pathologic conditions of CNS.

The Anti-inflammatory Capacity of Human High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) is Significantly Enhanced after Infusion of Reconstituted HDL “ In Vivo”

The Anti-inflammatory Capacity of Human High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) is Significantly Enhanced after Infusion of Reconstituted HDL “ In Vivo”

Serum Opacity Factor Unmasks Human Plasma High-Density Lipoprotein Instability via Selective Delipidation and Apolipoprotein A-I Desorption

Human plasma high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are important vehicles in reverse cholesterol transport, the cardioprotective mechanism by which peripheral tissue-cholesterol is transported to the liver for disposal. HDL is the target of serum opacity factor (SOF), a substance produced by Streptococcus pyogenes that turns mammalian serum cloudy. Using a recombinant (r) SOF, we studied opacification and its mechanism. rSOF catalyzes the partial disproportionation of HDL into a cholesteryl ester-rich microemulsion (CERM) and a new HDL-like particle, neo HDL, with the concomitant release of lipid-free (LF)-apo A-I. Opacification is unique; rSOF transfers apo E and nearly all neutral lipids of approximately 100,000 HDL particles into a single large CERM whose size increases with HDL-CE content (r approximately 100-250 nm) leaving a neo HDL that is enriched in PL (41%) and protein (48%), especially apo A-II. rSOF is potent; within 30 min at 37 degrees C, 10 nM rSOF opacifies 4 microM HDL. At respective low and high physiological HDL concentrations, LF-apo A-I is monomeric and tetrameric. CERM formation and apo A-I release have similar kinetics suggesting parallel or rapid sequential steps. According to the reaction products and kinetics, rSOF is a heterodivalent fusogenic protein that uses a docking site to displace apo A-I and bind to exposed CE surfaces on HDL; the resulting rSOF-HDL complex recruits additional HDL with its binding-delipidation site and through multiple fusion steps forms a CERM. rSOF may be a clinically useful and novel modality for improving reverse cholesterol transport. With apo E and a high CE content, CERM could transfer large amounts of cholesterol to the liver for disposal via the LDL receptor; neo HDL is likely a better acceptor of cellular cholesterol than HDL; LF-apo A-I could enhance efflux via the ATP-binding casette transporter ABCA1.