Effect of LOX-1 on development of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammation of blood vessels, in which endothelial cell dysfunction, monocyte adhesion and migration, apoptosis of smooth muscle cell, foam cell formation, and platelet activation are all critical parts of atherosclerosis. AS will result in large and medium artery atherosclerotic plaques under the intima. Ox-LDL, which results from oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL), is involved in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. Many ox-LDL receptors have been found and identified on cells related to development of AS, such as vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, monocytes, macrophages and foam cells. Lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), the main receptor of ox-LDL, is expressed on vascular endothelial cells, macrophages and platelets, and it plays a significant role in the development and progress of atherosclerosis. In this review, there is a focus on the latest development of effects of LOX-1 on AS development and related underlying mechanisms.