Objective— Apolipoprotein F (ApoF) is a protein component of several lipoprotein classes including HDL. It is also known as lipid transfer inhibitor protein (LTIP) based on its ability to inhibit lipid transfer between lipoproteins ex vivo. We sought to investigate the role of ApoF in HDL metabolism. Methods and Results— Adeno-associated viruses (AAV) based on serotype 8, were used to overexpress either murine or human ApoF in mice. Overexpression of murine ApoF significantly reduced total cholesterol levels by 28% ( P <0.001), HDL by 27% ( P <0.001), and phospholipid levels by 19% ( P <0.001). Overexpression of human ApoF had similar effects. Human ApoF was nearly exclusively HDL-associated in mice. In agreement with this finding, greater than 90% of the ApoF in human plasma was found on HDL 3 , with only a small amount on LDL. Overexpression of mouse ApoF accelerated the plasma clearance of [ 3 H]-cholesteryl ether labeled HDL. Plasma from mice overexpressing ApoF showed improved macrophage cholesterol efflux on a per HDL-C basis. Conclusions— ApoF overexpression reduces HDL cholesterol levels in mice by increasing clearance of HDL-CE. ApoF may be an important determinant of HDL metabolism and reverse cholesterol transport.

Within our study parameters, a thinner PoLTT under a small-diameter SL was associated with faster PoLTT mixing. However, there was no relationship between PoLTT and central corneal thickness during 5-hour SL wear.

PURPOSE. There has been interest in determining whether lid wiper epitheliopathy (LWE) plays a key role in causing ocular discomfort. Conflicting reports have made it difficult to discern whether LWE is more prevalent in certain populations, what characteristics are associated with its severity, and what its role is in symptomology. This cross-sectional study on a large and diverse population attempts to answer these questions.METHODS. Subjects were asked to complete questionnaires related to dry eye and to ocular discomfort. A comprehensive set of ocular surface parameters were assessed, including LWE length and width, tear-film lipid layer thickness, fluorescein tear breakup time (FTBUT), lidparallel conjunctival folds (LIPCOF), and corneal staining. RESULTS.A total of 287 subjects participated in the study. LWE was observed in 45% of the study cohort and was twice as prevalent in Asians than non-Asians (P < 0.005). LWE was more likely to present in contact lens wearers than non-contact lens wearers (P ¼ 0.03). Decreased FTBUT was associated with increased LWE length and width (P < 0.005 and P ¼ 0.01, respectively), although only a small effect size was noted. Presence of LIPCOF was linked with a 0.25-grade increase in LWE width (P ¼ 0.01). Only LWE width was associated with greater symptoms in contact lens wearers.CONCLUSIONS. LWE was associated with decreased tear-film stability, contact lens wear, lid anatomy, and LIPCOF. LWE was not associated with symptoms in non-contact lens wearers. LWE width was associated with greater symptoms in contact lens wearers but was only clinically significant with moderate to severe LWE width.

Differences of MPSs on the ocular surface were found in vivo and in vitro. RL caused the greatest corneal epithelium disruption but also associated with higher tear-film stability. The effect of MPSs on CL surface properties in vitro seems to reflect how MPSs altered prelens tear stability.