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11:44
Long Term Intravital Multiphoton Microscopy Imaging of Immune Cells in Healthy and Diseased Liver Using CXCR6.Gfp Reporter Mice
Published on: March 24, 2015
Targeting liver X receptors in inflammation
Knut R Steffensen1, Tomas Jakobsson, Jan-Åke Gustafsson
1Karolinska Institutet, Center for Biosciences, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, S-14183 Stockholm, Sweden. knut.steffensen@ki.se
Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|June 7, 2013
Summary
Liver X receptors (LXRs) show promise as drug targets for various diseases. However, careful development is needed to mitigate potential side effects, especially in the central nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- Liver X receptors (LXRs), LXRα and LXRβ, are emerging drug targets within the nuclear receptor family.
- Targeting LXRs offers novel therapeutic strategies for diseases with inadequate current treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current understanding of LXR biology and signaling.
- To establish the potential of LXRs as drug targets.
- To describe advances in LXR transcriptional mechanisms and roles in inflammation and immunity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of LXR biology and signaling.
- Analysis of LXR transcriptional mechanisms.
- Examination of physiological roles in inflammation and immunity.
Main Results:
- LXR-regulated inflammatory pathways present new therapeutic promise.
- Broad physiological roles of LXRs carry a risk of adverse effects.
- LXR agonists in clinical trials have shown adverse neurological side effects.
Conclusions:
- LXR drug development requires strategies to limit signaling scope (subtype, tissue, promoter, or pathway specific).
- Thorough investigation of effects on the central nervous system is crucial for successful drug candidates.
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