The lipid transfer/lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LT/LBP) family are structurally related proteins that are able to bind phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides. Family members share significant amino acid similarity and exon/intron organisation. Cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) and phospholipid transfer protein (PLTP) are plasma proteins that are necessary for the catabolism of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and they have been associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. CETP has been extensively investigated as a drug target for the development of agents to treat/prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other diseases associated with lipoprotein metabolism. Other members of this protein family include lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP; a plasma protein) and bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI; detected in neutrophil and eosinophil granules) which both bind to bacterial endotoxins and modulate the host response to infections by Gram-negative bacteria.

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