Apolipoproteins are important structural components of plasma lipoproteins that influence vascular biology and atherosclerotic disease pathophysiology by regulating lipoprotein metabolism. Clinically important apolipoproteins related to lipid metabolism and atherogenesis include apolipoprotein B-100, apolipoprotein B-48, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein C-II, apolipoprotein C-III, apolipoprotein E and apolipoprotein(a). Apolipoprotein B-100 is the major structural component of VLDL, IDL, LDL and lipoprotein(a). Apolipoprotein B-48 is a truncated isoform of apolipoprotein B-100 that forms the backbone of chylomicrons. Apolipoprotein A-I provides the scaffolding for lipidation of HDL and has an important role in reverse cholesterol transport. Apolipoproteins C-II, apolipoprotein C-III and apolipoprotein E are involved in triglyceride-rich lipoprotein metabolism. Apolipoprotein(a) covalently binds to apolipoprotein B-100 to form lipoprotein(a). In this Review, we discuss the mechanisms by which these apolipoproteins regulate lipoprotein metabolism and thereby influence vascular biology and atherosclerotic disease. Advances in the understanding of apolipoprotein biology and their translation into therapeutic agents to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease are also highlighted.

载脂蛋白是血浆脂蛋白的重要结构成分，通过调节脂蛋白代谢影响血管生物学和动脉粥样硬化疾病病理生理学。与脂质代谢和动脉粥样硬化形成相关的临床上重要的载脂蛋白包括载脂蛋白 B-100、载脂蛋白 B-48、载脂蛋白 AI、载脂蛋白 C-II、载脂蛋白 C-III、载脂蛋白 E 和载脂蛋白 (a)。载脂蛋白 B-100 是 VLDL、IDL、LDL 和脂蛋白 (a) 的主要结构成分。载脂蛋白 B-48 是载脂蛋白 B-100 的截短亚型，形成乳糜微粒的骨架。载脂蛋白 AI 为 HDL 的脂化提供了支架，并且在胆固醇逆向转运中具有重要作用。载脂蛋白C-II，载脂蛋白 C-III 和载脂蛋白 E 参与富含甘油三酯的脂蛋白代谢。载脂蛋白 (a) 与载脂蛋白 B-100 共价结合形成脂蛋白 (a)。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了这些载脂蛋白调节脂蛋白代谢从而影响血管生物学和动脉粥样硬化疾病的机制。还强调了对载脂蛋白生物学的理解及其转化为治疗剂以降低心血管疾病风险的进展。