HDL regulates TGFß-receptor lipid raft partitioning, restoring contractile features of cholesterol-loaded vascular smooth muscle cells.

expression and reduced CD68 expression. Because macrophage-like VSMC are thought to have adverse properties, our studies not only show mechanistically how cholesterol causes their transition, but also suggest that efflux-competent HDL particles may have a therapeutic role by restoring a more favorable phenotypic state of VSMC in atherosclerotic plaques.