title: Liver x receptors: potential novel targets in cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: The Liver X Receptors, LXRalpha and LXRbeta are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily which have recently been implicated as novel pharmacological targets for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The identification of natural and synthetic ligands for LXRs and the generation of LXR-deficient mice have been crucial for our understanding of the function of these receptors and for the identification of LXR-regulated target genes, particularly with respect to the role of LXRs in regulating cholesterol homeostasis. Synthetic LXRalpha/beta agonists induce cholesterol efflux and reverse cholesterol transport, improve glucose metabolism, inhibit macrophage-derived inflammation, and suppress the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. By regulating the expression of multiple genes involved in these pathways, LXR agonists prevent the development and progression of atherosclerosis and inhibit neointima formation following angioplasty of the arterial wall. In this review, we will summarize the important roles of LXR in metabolism and vascular biology and discuss its implications as potential molecular drug target for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: University of Kentucky, Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Molecular Medicine, Wethington Health Sciences Building, Lexington, 40536-0200, USA. Dennis.Bruemmer@uky.edu
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bruemmer
authors.forename: Ronald E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Law
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000819:agonists* / Q000502:physiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000819:agonists* / Q000502:physiology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: 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