Lipid-Free Apolipoprotein A-I Reduces Progression of Atherosclerosis by Mobilizing Microdomain Cholesterol and Attenuating the Number of CD131 Expressing Cells: Monitoring Cholesterol Homeostasis Using the Cellular Ester to Total Cholesterol Ratio.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder whose development is inversely correlated with high-density lipoprotein concentration. Current therapies involve pharmaceuticals that significantly elevate plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Our studies were conducted to investigate the effects of low-dose lipid-free apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) on chronic inflammation.