title: The LOX-1 Scavenger Receptor and Its Implications in the Treatment of Vascular Disease.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. The disease is due to atherosclerosis which is characterized by lipid and fat accumulation in arterial blood vessel walls. A key causative event is the accumulation of oxidised low density lipoprotein particles within vascular cells, and this is mediated by scavenger receptors. One such molecule is the LOX-1 scavenger receptor that is expressed on endothelial, vascular smooth muscle, and lymphoid cells including macrophages. LOX-1 interaction with OxLDL particles stimulates atherosclerosis. LOX-1 mediates OxLDL endocytosis via a clathrin-independent internalization pathway. Transgenic animal model studies show that LOX-1 plays a significant role in atherosclerotic plaque initiation and progression. Administration of LOX-1 antibodies in cellular and animal models suggest that such intervention inhibits atherosclerosis. Antiatherogenic strategies that target LOX-1 function using gene therapy or small molecule inhibitors would be new ways to address the increasing incidence of vascular disease in many countries.
authors.affiliation: Endothelial Cell Biology Unit, Institute of Molecular & Cellular Biology, LIGHT Laboratories, Clarendon Way, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Twigg
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Freestone
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Homer-Vanniasinkam
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ponnambalam