Role of the ABC transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 in foam cell formation and atherosclerosis

Enhancing reverse cholesterol transport from macrophages in the arterial wall tothe liver for biliary excretion has been identified as a potential the rapeutic strategy to reduce and eventually regress atherogenesis. In addition to HDL -raising therapies, modulating macrophage cholesterol efflux pathways might be aninteresting new approach in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Recently, twoATP-binding cassette transporters, ABCA1 and ABCG1, have been indentified toplay a critical role in the efflux of cholesterol from macrophages, suggesting afunction in maintaining normal cellular cholesterol homeostasis and the preventionof atherogenesis. This review focuses on the recent findings on the role ofmacrophage ABCA1 and ABCG1 in atherosclerotic lesion development andhighlights the complex regulatory mechanisms and possible consequences oftherapeutic upregulation of these transporters.