Expression of lectinlike oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 in human atherosclerotic lesions

• Published in: Circulation (New York, N.Y.) N.Y.), 1999-06, Vol.99 (24), p.3110-3117
• Main Authors: KATAOKA, H, KUME, N, MIYAMOTO, S, MINAMI, M, MORIWAKI, H, MURASE, T, SAWAMURA, T, MASAKI, T, HASHIMOTO, N, KITA, T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, CD - analysis; Antigens, CD - immunology; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic - analysis; Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic - immunology; Arteriosclerosis - metabolism; Arteriosclerosis - pathology; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Carotid Arteries - chemistry; Carotid Arteries - pathology; CHO Cells; Cricetinae; Endothelium, Vascular - chemistry; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Gene Expression Regulation - physiology; Humans; Lectins; Macrophages - chemistry; Macrophages - physiology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - chemistry; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - metabolism; Neovascularization, Physiologic - physiology; Receptors, LDL - analysis; Receptors, LDL - genetics; Receptors, LDL - immunology; Receptors, Oxidized LDL; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Scavenger Receptors, Class E; Transfection; Tunica Intima - chemistry; Tunica Intima - pathology
• ISSN: 0009-7322; 1524-4539
• DOI: 10.1161/01.cir.99.24.3110

Oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) seems to play key roles in atherogenesis. Lectinlike Ox-LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) is a recently identified cell-surface receptor for Ox-LDL. The relationship of this novel receptor for Ox-LDL to atherogenesis, however, has not yet been clarified. In this study, we explored the expression of LOX-1 in the atherosclerotic lesions of human carotid arteries. Using carotid endarterectomy specimens obtained from 21 patients and 2 samples of normal human aortas, we examined LOX-1 expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. In aortas without atherosclerosis, LOX-1 expression was undetectable by immunohistochemistry and negligible by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In carotid arteries, luminal endothelial cells covering early atherosclerotic lesions were more frequently positive for LOX-1 expression than those in advanced atherosclerotic lesions. Endothelial cells in the intimal neovasculature of advanced lesions also expressed LOX-1. In addition, macrophages and smooth muscle cells in the intima of advanced atherosclerotic plaques were positive for LOX-1 expression. LOX-1 may play important roles in Ox-LDL uptake and subsequent functional alteration in the luminal endothelium in early atherosclerotic lesions and in intimal neovascular endothelial cells in advanced plaques. Furthermore, LOX-1 may also be involved in Ox-LDL uptake and subsequent foam cell transformation in macrophages and smooth muscle cells in the atherosclerotic intima.