RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Statins Modulate Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein-Mediated Adhesion Molecule Expression in Human Coronary Artery Endothelial Cells: Role of LOX-1 JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 601 OP 605 DO 10.1124/jpet.102.034959 VO 302 IS 2 A1 Dayuan Li A1 Hongjiang Chen A1 Francesco Romeo A1 Tatsuya Sawamura A1 Tom Saldeen A1 Jawahar L. Mehta YR 2002 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/302/2/601.abstract AB LOX-1, a receptor for oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), plays a critical role in endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. LOX-1 activation also plays an important role in monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. A number of studies show that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) reduce total LDL cholesterol and exert a cardioprotective effect. We examined the modulation of LOX-1 expression and its function by two different statins, simvastatin and atorvastatin, in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). We observed that ox-LDL (40 μg/ml) treatment up-regulated the expression of E- and P-selectins, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in HCAECs. Ox-LDL mediated these effects via LOX-1, since antisense to LOX-1 mRNA decreased LOX-1 expression and subsequent adhesion molecule expression. Pretreatment of HCAECs with simvastatin or atorvastatin (1 and 10 μM) reduced ox-LDL-induced expression of LOX-1 as well as adhesion molecules (all P < 0.05). A high concentration of statins (10 μM) was more potent than the low concentration (1 μM) (P < 0.05). Both statins reduced ox-LDL-mediated activation of the redox-sensitive nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) but not AP-1. These observations indicate that LOX-1 activation plays an important role in ox-LDL-induced expression of adhesion molecules. Inhibition of expression of LOX-1 and adhesion molecules and activation of NF-κB may be another mechanism of beneficial effects of statins in vascular diseases. The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics