Description
Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor 1 (Ox-LDL Receptor 1) is a secreted, single-pass type II membrane protein which belongs to the C-type lectin superfamily. Ox-LDL Receptor 1 is expressed at high levels in endothelial cells and vascular-rich organs such as placenta, lung, liver, brain, aortic intima, bone marrow, spinal cord and substantia nigra. The expression of Ox-LDL Receptor 1 is induced by inflammatory cytokines such as TNF, IFNG and IL6 by pathological conditions, such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Ox-LDL Receptor 1 mediates the recognition, internalization and degradation of oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein (OxLDL) by vascular endothelial cells. Ox-LDL Receptor 1 association with oxLDL induces the activation of NF-kappa-B through an increased production of intracellular reactive oxygen and a variety of pro-atherogenic cellular responses including a reduction of nitric oxide (NO) release, monocyte adhesion and apoptosis. Ox-LDL Receptor 1 also binds to oxLDL, which acts as a receptor for the HSP70 protein involved in antigen cross-presentation to naive T-cells in dendritic cells, thereby participating in cell-mediated antigen cross-presentation. It also participates in inflammatory process, by acting as a leukocyte-adhesion molecule at the vascular interface in endotoxin-induced inflammation