Upregulation of endothelial receptor for oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LOX-1) in cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells by angiotensin II type 1 receptor activation.
Cross talk between oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) and angiotensin II (Ang II) may be relevant in atherosclerosis. In this study, we examined the presence of a specific endothelial receptor for ox-LDL (LOX-1) and Ang II receptors in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). In addition, we studied the effect of Ang II on LOX-1 gene and protein expression. LOX-1 was consistently identified in HCAECs by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), cDNA sequence, Western blot, and 125I-labeled ox-LDL binding assay (Bmax, 29.7 ng/mg protein). The HCAECs also exhibited Ang II receptors (AT1>AT2), as determined by RT-PCR and 125I-labeled Ang II binding assay (Bmax, 2.21 and 1.19 fmol/mg protein, respectively). Incubation of HCAECs with Ang II markedly increased LOX-1 mRNA (RT-PCR) and protein (Western blot) expression. The increase in LOX-1 expression was dependent on Ang II concentration (10(-12) to 10(-6) mol/L). Ang II caused a concentration-dependent increase in 125I-labeled ox-LDL uptake by HCAECs and enhanced ox-LDL-mediated cell injury, as evident from an increase in LDH release and a decrease in cell viability. These effects of Ang II were completely blocked by pretreatment of HCAECs with losartan, a specific AT1 blocker, but not by PD123319, a specific AT2 blocker. These observations indicate the following: (1) HCAECs possess abundant LOX-1 as well as Ang II (AT1>AT2) receptors, (2) Ang II upregulates LOX-1 receptor and ox-LDL uptake, (3) the effects of Ang II are mediated by AT1 activation, and (4) Ang II enhances ox-LDL-mediated injury to HCAECs.
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology; D001158:Arteries / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000378:metabolism; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D044139:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000378:metabolism*; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D051131:Receptors, Oxidized LDL; D051127:Scavenger Receptors, Class E; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology*