Grant: Operating Grant

High density lipoproteins or HDL in human blood are the good cholesterol particles, in that a higher level of HDL is associated with protection against heart attacks, while a low level of HDL increases the risks of heart attacks. Increasing the formation of new HDL particles in the body is a major goal, along with healthy diet and regular exercise, in preventing heart attacks and strokes. We have found that the flow of cholesterol out of a particular area of the cell known as lysosomes is a major determinant of how well the cell can turn on HDL formation. We are continuing our studies on this pathway to confirm how important this mechanism is, including how important the cholesterol that comes out of lysosomes is for the cell to make new HDL. The planned studies will further our understanding of the way cells make new HDL, and determine whether the flow of cholesterol out of lysosomes is something that could be increased as a new treatment to increase HDL formation for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes.