| Background |
Apolipoproteins are plasma lipoproteins that function as transporters of lipids and cholesterol in the circulatory system. Chylomicrons are a fundamental class of apolipoproteins containing very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Apolipoprotein A-IV (ApoA4) is a glycoprotein that exists as a free apolipoprotein in human plasma. ApoA4 activates the lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase to modulate the rate of lipid transfer protein (LTP) activity. Additional evidence suggests that ApoA4 may also act as an antioxidant to inhibit LDL oxidation in the atherosclerosis model.
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