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Review
. 2022 Jan 4;23(1):533.
doi: 10.3390/ijms23010533.

Cholesterol in the Cell Membrane-An Emerging Player in Atherogenesis

Karel Paukner  1   2   3 , Ivana Králová Lesná  1   4 , Rudolf Poledne  1
Affiliations
Review

Cholesterol in the Cell Membrane-An Emerging Player in Atherogenesis

Karel Paukner et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Membrane cholesterol is essential for cell membrane properties, just as serum cholesterol is important for the transport of molecules between organs. This review focuses on cholesterol transport between lipoproteins and lipid rafts on the surface of macrophages. Recent studies exploring this mechanism and recognition of the central dogma-the key role of macrophages in cardiovascular disease-have led to the notion that this transport mechanism plays a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The exact molecular mechanism of this transport remains unclear. Future research will improve our understanding of the molecular and cellular bases of lipid raft-associated cholesterol transport.

Keywords: cell membrane; cholesterol; macrophages.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic phospholipid bilayer cell membrane with cholesterol molecule (red symbol) and location of transmembrane receptor. Cholesterol asymmetry represents different proportions of cholesterol in the outer and inner phospholipid layers. Transport of cholesterol to the surface raft from plasma lipoproteins and possible reverse efflux.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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