Open AccessLectin‐like Oxidized Low‐density Lipoprotein Receptor‐1, a New Promising Target for the Therapy of Atherosclerosis?
Author(s) -
Chen XiuPing,
Zhang TianTai,
Du GuanHua
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
cardiovascular drug reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1527-3466
pISSN - 0897-5957
DOI - 10.1111/j.1527-3466.2007.00009.x
Subject(s) - pathogenesis , endocytosis , internalization , lipoprotein , low density lipoprotein , foam cell , receptor , signal transduction , diabetes mellitus , ldl receptor , medicine , disease , endothelial dysfunction , pharmacology , immunology , biology , cholesterol , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology
ABSTRACT Endothelial activation and dysfunction induced by oxidized modified low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) is one of the key steps in the initiation of atherosclerosis. Recent studies have shown that a new lectin‐like oxidized low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐1 (LOX‐1) mediates the recognition and internalization of ox‐LDL. LOX‐1 is the main receptor for ox‐LDL and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypertension, diabetes, and, especially, of atherosclerosis. The potential role of LOX‐1 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis includes: endocytosis of ox‐LDL, expression co‐location with atherosclerosis enhanced by atherosclerosis‐related risk factors, elevated LOX‐1 protein in cardiovascular disease, effects related to atherosclerosis and eliminated by antiatherosclerotic drugs. Identification and regulation of LOX‐1 and understanding its signal transduction pathways might improve our insight toward the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and provide a selective treatment approach. LOX‐1 might be a potential and promising target for the development of novel antiatherosclerotic drugs. However, due to limited knowledge about LOX‐1, there are still many questions to be answered.