Catalyzes the deacylation of triacylglyceryl and cholesteryl ester core lipids of endocytosed low density lipoproteins to generate free fatty acids and cholesterol. a sterol ester + H2O = a fatty acid + a sterol + H(+) cholesteryl (9Z-octadecenoate) + H2O = (9Z)-octadecenoate + cholesterol + H(+) Monomer. Expressed at low levels in most tissues. High level expression is found in hepatocytes and splenic and thymic cells. Very high level expression is observed in cells of the small intestinal villi, the zona fasciculata and reticularis of the adrenal cortex, pancreatic acini, and renal tubular epithelium. Glycosylation is not essential for catalytic activity. Belongs to the AB hydrolase superfamily. Lipase family.