1. HDL is synthesized in the liver and intestine and transports cholesterol from tissues to the liver via reverse cholesterol transport.
2. The enzyme LCAT esterifies free cholesterol on HDL particles, forming a hydrophobic core and spherical HDL structure that can deliver cholesterol to the liver.
3. HDL accepts cholesterol from tissues via SR-B1 and transports it back to the liver for excretion, in a process called reverse cholesterol transport that removes excess cholesterol from the body.
2. Synthesis of HDL
HDL is synthesized and secreted from both liver and intestine.
However, apo C and apo E are synthesized in the liver and
transferred from liver HDL to intestinal HDL when the latter enters
the plasma.
A major function of HDL is to act as a repository for the apo C and
apo E required in the metabolism of chylomicrons and VLDL.
Nascent HDL consists of discoid phospholipid bilayer containing
apo A and free cholesterol.
3. Metabolism of HDL
LCAT and the LCAT activator apo A-Ibind to the discoidal particles, and the
surface phospholipid and free cholesterol are converted into cholesteryl esters
and lysolecithin .
The nonpolar cholesteryl esters move into the hydrophobic interior of the
bilayer, whereas lysolecithin is transferred to plasma albumin.
Thus, a nonpolar core is generated, forming a spherical, pseudomicellar HDL
covered by a surface film of polar lipids and apolipoproteins.
This aids the removal of excess unesterified cholesterol from lipoproteins and
tissues
4. Metabolism of HDL
Role of LCAT
LCAT( Lecithin Cholesterol Acyl Transferase) enzyme catalyzes the
esterification of cholesterol to form Cholesteryl ester. The reaction
can be represented as follows
Lecithin + Cholesterol Lysolecithin + Cholesteryl Ester
5. Reverse Cholesterol Transport
The cholesterol efflux is
brought about by esterification
of cholesterol under the effect
of LCAT.
The cholesteryl ester rich HDL
(HDL2) gains entry through
Scavenger receptor (SR-B1)
6. Reverse cholesterol transport
The cholesterol efflux is brought about by esterification of cholesterol
under the effect of LCAT.
The cholesteryl ester rich HDL (HDL2) gains entry through Scavenger
receptor (SR-B1)
The class B scavenger receptor B1 (SR-B1) has been identified as an
HDL receptor with a dual role in HDL metabolism.
7. In the liver and in steroidogenic tissues, it binds HDL via apo A-I,
and cholesteryl ester is selectively delivered to the cells, although
the particle itself, including apo A-I, is not taken up.
In the tissues, on the other hand, SR-B1 mediates the acceptance
of cholesterol from the cells by HDL, which then transports it to the
liver for excretion via the bile (either as cholesterol or after
conversion to bile acids) in the process known as reverse cholesterol
transport
8. HDL- cycle
HDL3, generated from discoidal HDL by the action of LCAT, accepts cholesterol from the tissues
via the SRB1 and the cholesterol is then esterified by LCAT, increasing the size of the particles to
form the less dense HDL2.
HDL3 is then reformed, either after selective delivery of cholesteryl ester to the liver via the SR-
B1 or by hydrolysis of HDL2 phospholipid and triacylglycerol by hepatic lipase. This interchange
of HDL2 and HDL3 is called the HDL cycle.
Free apo A-I is released by these processes and forms pre -HDL after associating with a minimum
amount phospholipid and cholesterol
9. Metabolism of HDL
A second important mechanism for reverse cholesterol transport
involves the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1).
ABCA1 is a member of a family of transporter proteins that couple
the hydrolysis of ATP to the binding of a substrate, enabling it to be
transported across the membrane.
ABCA1 preferentially transfer cholesterol from cells to poorly
lipidated particles such as pre -HDL or apo A-1, which are then
converted to HDL3 via discoidal HDL
Pre -HDL is the most potent form of HDL inducing cholesterol efflux
from the tissues
10. Scavenging action- HDL scavenges extra cholesterol from peripheral
tissues by reverse cholesterol transport
HDL, with the help of apo E competes with LDL for binding sites on
the membranes and prevents internalization of LDL cholesterol in
the smooth cells of the arterial walls
HDL contributes its apo C and E to nascent VLDL and chylomicrons
for receptor mediated endocytosis
HDL stimulated prostacyclin synthesis by the endothelial cells,
which prevent thrombus formation
HDL also helps in the removal of macrophages from the arterial
walls
11. Summary of formation and fate of
lipoproteins
Chylomicrons is a transporter of
dietary lipids whereas VLDL is a
transporter of endogenous
lipids(mainly TGs).
LDL transports cholesterol to
peripheral cells while HDL
transports cholesterol from
peripheral cells back to liver.
12. Role of HDL in receptor mediated
endocytosis
HDL
contributes its
apo C and E to
nascent VLDL
and
chylomicrons
for receptor
mediated
endocytosis.