Oxidized LDL-Induced injury and apoptosis in atherosclerosis - Potential roles for oxysterols

The cell injury caused by oxidized lipoproteins was among the first finding s that led to the theory that it is the oxidation of low-density lipoprotei n (LDL), not just LDL concentration, that leads to arterial disease. Volumi nous studies have now revealed that oxidized lipoproteins and their constit uents can induce numerous effects on cells that can be construed to be athe rogenic. Cell injury is but one of these, and it is these injurious effects that are the focus of this brief review. Cell injury and death appear to p lay multiple roles in lesion development and the toxic lipid constituents o f oxidized lipoproteins, including a variety of oxysterols, are candidates for the in vivo effectors of this cytotoxicity. Recent studies have focused on the mechanisms of oxidized lipoprotein-induced cell death, whether the cells die by apoptosis or necrosis, and the identities of the toxins that i nduce injury. Understanding the roles of these agents in lesion development could lead to therapies that modulate cell death and inhibit lesion format ion. (C) 2001, Elsevier Science Inc.