Orphan nuclear receptors find a home in the arterial wall

Orphan nuclear receptors of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) and liver X receptor (LXR) subfamilies have been shown to play critical roles in both local and systemic lipid metabolism. The PPARs control fatty acid metabolism in various cell types, including adipocytes, liver, and macrophages. The LXRs have been implicated in the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in the liver, intestines, and macrophages. The importance of these receptors in physiologic lipid metabolism suggests that they may influence the development of metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Furthermore, the ability of these receptors to be modulated pharmacologically makes them attractive therapeutic targets. This review focuses on the role of PPAR and LXR signaling pathways in macrophage lipid metabolism and the potential of these pathways to modulate the development of atherosclerosis.