LDL receptor regulates the reverse transport of macrophage-derived unesterified cholesterol via concerted action of the HDL-LDL axis

Background and Aims: HDL-mediated stimulation of cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells initiates the reverse cholesterol pathway (m-RCT) which ends in the fecal excretion of macrophage-derived unesterified cholesterol (UC). We investigated the role of LDL as an intermediate UC carrier in m-RCT.