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Role of cholesterol and lipid organization in disease

Nature volume 438, pages 612–621 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Membrane lipids are essential for biological functions ranging from membrane trafficking to signal transduction. The composition of lipid membranes influences their organization and properties, so it is not surprising that disorders in lipid metabolism and transport have a role in human disease. Significant recent progress has enhanced our understanding of the molecular and cellular basis of lipid-associated disorders such as Tangier disease, Niemann–Pick disease type C and atherosclerosis. These insights have also led to improved understanding of normal physiology.

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Figure 1: Intracellular cholesterol transport.
Figure 2: Cholesterol efflux.
Figure 3: Entry and cholesterol loading of macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions.
Figure 4: Free cholesterol-induced apoptosis in macrophages.

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  1. Department of Biochemistry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10021, USA

    Frederick R. Maxfield

  2. Departments of Medicine, Cell Biology, and Physiology & Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA

    Ira Tabas

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Maxfield, F., Tabas, I. Role of cholesterol and lipid organization in disease. Nature 438, 612–621 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature04399

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