An endothelial receptor for oxidized low-density lipoprotein

Endothelial dysfunction or activation elicited by oxidatively modified low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis(1-4), characterized by intimal thickening and lipid deposition in the arteries. Ox-LDL and its lipid constituents impair endothelial production of nitric oxide, and induce the endothelial expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules and smooth-muscle growth factors, which may be involved in atherogenesis(5-7). Vascular endothelial cells in culture(8,9) and in vivo(10,11) internalize and degrade Ox-LDL through a putative receptor-mediated pathway that does not involve macrophage scavenger receptors(12-15). Here we report the molecular cloning, using expression cloning strategy, of an Ox-LDL receptor from vascular endothelial cells. The cloned receptor is a membrane protein that belongs structurally to the C-type lectin family, and is expressed in vivo in vascular endothelium and vascular-rich organs.