Expression of the LXRalpha protein in human atherosclerotic lesions.
OBJECTIVE
Liver X-activated receptor alpha (LXRalpha) regulates multiple genes controlling cholesterol metabolism and transport. To clarify its role in atherogenesis, we established a monoclonal antibody recognizing native human LXRalpha protein and studied the expression pattern in human atherosclerotic lesions.


RESULTS
A novel monoclonal antibody PPZ0412 was raised against the ligand-binding domain of LXRalpha, which can be used for immunostaining of human LXRalpha protein. LXRalpha protein was detected in the nucleus of macrophages in the liver, spleen, or lung and also in hepatocytes and adipocytes. In atherosclerotic lesions, the LXRalpha protein was detected in macrophages positive for scavenger receptor class A and/or CD68.


CONCLUSIONS
In the human body, the LXRalpha protein is highly expressed in macrophage lineage cells and foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions and is identified as a target for intervention in atherosclerotic disease.
Watanabe
Yuichiro
Y
Department of Systems Biology and Medicine, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo, Japan.
Jiang
Shuying
S
Takabe
Wakako
W
Ohashi
Riuko
R
Tanaka
Toshiya
T
Uchiyama
Yasutoshi
Y
Katsumi
Keiko
K
Iwanari
Hiroko
H
Noguchi
Noriko
N
Naito
Makoto
M
Hamakubo
Takao
T
Kodama
Tatsuhiko
T
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019556:COS Cells; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005487:Foam Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009000:Monocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000378:metabolism
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; C000605213:NR1H3 protein, human; C000605214:Nr1h3 protein, mouse; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear