Endothelial lipase (EL) is a member of the triglyceride lipase gene family. It functions primarily as a phospholipase and has low triglyceride lipase activity. It was originally cloned from endothelial cells and found to be expressed in high level in the liver, placenta, lung, ovary, and macrophage. The wide spread distribution of this protein sμggests it plays a general role in lipid metabolism. Human endothelial lipase has an estimated molecular weight of 57 kDa.