Assessing residual cardiovascular risk and vulnerable plaques via non-traditional lipids: From biomarkers to novel targets for precision therapy

Figure 3 Reverse cholesterol transport mediated by apolipoprotein A1. Cholesterol is expelled from macrophages via the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 transporter protein and binds with apolipoprotein A1 to form nascent high-density lipoprotein. This high-density lipoprotein is subsequently matured by lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase and ultimately taken up by the liver through scavenger receptor class B type I receptors, being excreted in the form of bile acids. ABCA1: ATP-binding cassette transporter A1; SR-BI: Scavenger receptor class B type I; ApoA1: Apolipoprotein A1; LCAT: Lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase; CE: Cholesteryl ester; CER: Cholesteryl ester rich; HDL: High-density lipoprotein.