Chylomicron remodeling

As chylomicrons circulate in the body, they acquire molecules of apolipoproteins C and E, and through interaction with endothelial lipases can lose a large fraction of their triacylglycerol. These changes convert them to chylomicron remnants which bind to LDL receptors, primarily on the surfaces of liver cells, clearing them from the circulation. This whole sequence of events is rapid: the normal lifespan of a chylomicron is 30 - 60 minutes.

Summary from Reactome (R-HSA-8963901), read 2026-09-23.