......................................................................................................................................... ii Preface ........................................................................................................................................... iv Table of contents .......................................................................................................................... vi List of tables.................................................................................................................................. xi List of figures ............................................................................................................................... xii List of abbreviations .................................................................................................................. xiv Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................... xvi Dedication .................................................................................................................................. xvii Chapter 1: Introduction ...............................................................................................................1 1.1 Overview ........................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Regulation of cellular cholesterol metabolism ........................................................... 2 1.2.1 SREBPs in the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis ................................................ 3 1.2.2 LDL-receptor mediated uptake of exogenous cholesterol .......................................... 5 1.2.3 Uptake of modified LDL by scavenger receptors ....................................................... 8 1.3 Reverse cholesterol transport .................................................................................... 10 1.3.1 Step 1: Cellular cholesterol efflux and HDL formation............................................ 12 1.3.2 Step 2: HDL cholesterol esterification ...................................................................... 12 1.3.3 Step 3: Uptake of HDL cholesterol and cholesteryl esters by the liver .................... 13 1.3.3.1 HDL remodeling in the plasma ......................................................................... 14 1.3.4 Step 4: Hepatobiliary excretion of cholesterol and bile acids ................................... 15 1.3.5 The role of the intestine in RCT ............................................................................... 15 1.3.6 Macrophage-specific reverse cholesterol transport .................................................. 16