title: Targeting liver X receptors in inflammation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The two oxysterol receptors, 'liver X receptors (LXRs)' LXRα and LXRβ, are amongst the emerging newer drug targets within the nuclear receptor family and targeting LXRs represents novel strategies needed for prevention and treatment of diseases where current therapeutics is inadequate.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review discusses the current understanding of LXR biology with an emphasis on the molecular aspects of LXR signalling establishing their potential as drug targets. Recent advances of their transcriptional mechanisms in inflammatory pathways and their physiological roles in inflammation and immunity are described.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new discoveries of LXR-regulated inflammatory pathways have ignited new promises for LXRs as drug targets. The broad physiological roles of LXRs involve a high risk of unwanted side effects. Recent insights into LXR biology of the brain indicate a highly important role in neuronal development and a clinical trial testing an LXR agonist reported adverse neurological side effects. This suggests that drug development must focus on limiting the range of LXR signalling - possibly achieved through subtype, tissue specific, promoter specific or pathway specific activation of LXRs where a successful candidate drug must be carefully studied for its effect in the central nervous system.
authors.affiliation: Karolinska Institutet, Center for Biosciences, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, S-14183 Stockholm, Sweden. knut.steffensen@ki.se
authors.forename: Knut R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Steffensen
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jakobsson
authors.forename: Jan-Åke
authors.initials: JÅ
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D000071518:Liver X Receptors; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000071518:Liver X Receptors; C000605213:NR1H3 protein, human; D057093:Orphan Nuclear Receptors