C1q/Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Protein-9 Enhances Macrophage Cholesterol Efflux and Improves Reverse Cholesterol Transport via AMPK Activation.

Cholesterol efflux from foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques is crucial for reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), an important antiatherogenic event. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, ABCA1 and ABCG1, are key receptors in the cholesterol efflux pathway. C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-9 (CTRP9) is a newly discovered adipokine and exhibits an atheroprotective activity.