Deleterious impact of elaidic fatty acid on ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux from mouse and human macrophages

► We studied the impact of membrane trans fatty acids incorporation on cholesterol efflux from mouse and human macrophages. ► The industrially produced trans elaidic acid specifically reduced ABCA1 cholesterol efflux pathway. ► The naturally produced trans vaccenic acid had no impact on cholesterol efflux. ► In both cellular models, these deleterious effects were observed in cholesterol-normal or cholesterol-loaded macrophages. ► Elaidic acid may contribute to atherogenesis by impairing the ABCA1 cholesterol efflux pathway in macrophages.