EXPRESSION OF LIPOPROTEIN RECEPTORS IN ATHEROSCLEROTIC LESIONS

Atherosclerosis is characterized by the presence of lipid-loaded cells which are derived from macrophages and smooth muscle cells. Several l ipoprotein receptors may be involved in cellular lipid uptake. These r eceptors include: scavenger receptor(s); LDL receptor-related protein/ alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor (LRP); LDL receptor; and VLDL receptor. With the exception of the LDL receptor, all of these receptors are ex pressed in atherosclerotic lesions. While scavenger receptors are most ly expressed in macrophages, the LRP and VLDL receptor may play an imp ortant role in mediating lipid uptake in smooth muscle cells. It is ev ident that no single receptor pathway is solely responsible for the in creased lipid uptake in lesion cells but several redundant mechanisms may contribute to the uptake and degradation of lipoproteins in athero sclerotic lesions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights r eserved.