Modulation of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity

This invention is generally in the field of peptide-based vaccines to control atherogenic activity in the circulatory system of humans and other animals. In particular, this invention provides compositions and methods for providing endogenous means to inhibit the activity of endogenous cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) and to effectively modulate the relative levels of lipoproteins to produce a condition correlated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis. This invention relates to peptides comprising a helper T cell epitope portion and a B cell epitope portion for eliciting an immune response against endogenous cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activity, to prevent or treat cardiovascular disease, such as atherosclerosis.