Inducible expression of LOX-1, a novel receptor for oxidized LDL, in macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells.

Macrophages appear to take up oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) by multiple receptor-mediated pathways. This study, therefore, has been performed to determine if LOX-1, a novel receptor for Ox-LDL, which was identified in vascular endothelial cells, is also expressed in macrophages. Expression of LOX-1 can be induced after macrophage-like differentiation in human peripheral blood monocytes as well as THP-1 cells. Furthermore, expression of LOX-1 in macrophages is also upregulated by an inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha, which was shown to be present in atherosclerotic arterial wall. Expression of this novel receptor LOX-1 may play an important role in Ox-LDL uptake and subsequent foam cell formation in macrophages.