Expression of lectinlike oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 in human atherosclerotic lesions.
BACKGROUND
Oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) seems to play key roles in atherogenesis. Lectinlike Ox-LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) is a recently identified cell-surface receptor for Ox-LDL. The relationship of this novel receptor for Ox-LDL to atherogenesis, however, has not yet been clarified. In this study, we explored the expression of LOX-1 in the atherosclerotic lesions of human carotid arteries.


RESULTS
Using carotid endarterectomy specimens obtained from 21 patients and 2 samples of normal human aortas, we examined LOX-1 expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. In aortas without atherosclerosis, LOX-1 expression was undetectable by immunohistochemistry and negligible by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In carotid arteries, luminal endothelial cells covering early atherosclerotic lesions were more frequently positive for LOX-1 expression than those in advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Endothelial cells in the intimal neovasculature of advanced lesions also expressed LOX-1. In addition, macrophages and smooth muscle cells in the intima of advanced atherosclerotic plaques were positive for LOX-1 expression.


CONCLUSIONS
LOX-1 may play important roles in Ox-LDL uptake and subsequent functional alteration in the luminal endothelium in early atherosclerotic lesions and in intimal neovascular endothelial cells in advanced plaques. Furthermore, LOX-1 may also be involved in Ox-LDL uptake and subsequent foam cell transformation in macrophages and smooth muscle cells in the atherosclerotic intima.
Kataoka
H
H
Departments of Geriatric Medicine, and Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Kume
N
N
Miyamoto
S
S
Minami
M
M
Moriwaki
H
H
Murase
T
T
Sawamura
T
T
Masaki
T
T
Hashimoto
N
N
Kita
T
T
D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D016466:CHO Cells; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D006224:Cricetinae; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D037102:Lectins; D008264:Macrophages / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D051131:Receptors, Oxidized LDL; D051127:Scavenger Receptors, Class E; D014162:Transfection; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D037102:Lectins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D051131:Receptors, Oxidized LDL; D051127:Scavenger Receptors, Class E; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule; C495137:OLR1 protein, human