title: Liver X receptors: Xcreting Xol to combat atherosclerosis.
abstract: Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors that act as metabolic sensors for cellular cholesterol (Xol) and oxysterol content. Increased oxysterol levels activate LXRs, which then induce: the removal of cholesterol out of peripheral cells; transport of this cholesterol to the liver; excretion of cholesterol through production of bile acids; and inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption. Recent evidence indicates that LXRs are not only master regulators of cholesterol homeostasis, but also decrease the development of atherosclerosis - a disease intimately linked with abnormal cholesterol homeostasis. This evidence shows that LXRs are promising drug development targets for atherosclerosis.
authors.forename: Gordon A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Francis
authors.forename: Jean-Sebastien
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Annicotte
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Auwerx
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000819:agonists / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol