Upregulation of LOX-1 expression in aorta of hypercholesterolemic rabbits: modulation by losartan

Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) enhances the modification of LDL and the expression of its lectin-like receptor (LOX-1) by activating type 1 (AT(1)) receptors. This study was designed to determine the effect of hypercholesterolemia on LOX-1 expression in aorta and its modulation by the AT(1) receptor blocker losartan. Male New Zealand White rabbits were fed regular chow (Control group), chow with 1% cholesterol and 4% peanut oil (HC-diet group), or 1% cholesterol and 4% peanut oil diet plus losartan (25 mg/kg/day) (Losartan + HC-diet group) for 10 weeks. Animal body weight, serum cholesterol levels, and arterial blood pressure were measured. Aortic intimal thickening was quantitated in H&E-stained segments. LOX-1 expression in aortas was examined by immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative RT-PCR. High-cholesterol diet did not affect body weight, but induced hypercholesterolemia and extensive intimal thickening. Aortas of rabbits in the control group showed a modest LOX-1 expression in the endothelium. Aortic intimal proliferation in HC-diet group was associated with a marked increase in LOX-1 expression (protein and mRNA) in the endothelium and neointima. Treatment with losartan attenuated aortic intimal proliferation and markedly decreased the enhanced LOX-1 expression. Thus high-cholesterol diet induces the upregulation of LOX-1 expression in neointima of aortas of rabbits. Treatment with losartan, an AT(1) blocker, markedly decreases this enhanced LOX-1 expression.