HDL abnormalities in familial hypercholesterolemia: Focus on biological functions

Although a selective strong elevation in the plasma level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is the hallmark of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), also other plasma lipoprotein and lipid subspecies are changed in these patients. Several studies in FH patients have pointed to the qualitative abnormalities of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, including their triglyceride and sphingomyelin enrichment, reduced capacity to promote cholesterol efflux from macrophages, impaired anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities, and reduced plasma levels of miRs regulating HDL-dependent cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells, typical of atherosclerotic lesions. Thus, accurate understanding of HDL functionality and its disturbances in FH may serve a better estimation of the prognosis and also provide additional clues when searching for novel therapeutic choices in this disease. In spite of such a potential promise, there has been no prior comprehensive review focusing on indices of HDL function in FH patients. In the present review, we aim to fulfill this gap by identifying measures of HDL function that are impaired in FH, and by providing a concise summary on the impact of different lipid-modifying therapies on HDL functionality in FH.