Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 3, 2026

Isolation, Characterization, and Purification of Macrophages from Tissues Affected by Obesity-related Inflammation
Published on: April 3, 2017
Oxidized low-density lipoprotein promotes macrophage lipid accumulation via the toll-like receptor 4-Src pathway
Ke Yang1, Xiaoqun Wang, Zhuhui Liu
1Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Ruijin Hospital, Jiaotong University School of Medicine.
Background:
Uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) by macrophages is recognized as a crucial step in the development of atherosclerosis, whereas the precise molecular mechanisms involving it remain to be elucidated.
Methods And Results:
This study focused on determining the role of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and Src kinase in macrophage lipid accumulation. oxLDL significantly enhanced Src kinase activity and intracellular lipid contents in RAW264.7 macrophages, whereas the small interference RNA-mediated knockdown of TLR4 and Src or chemical inhibition of Src activity blocked oxLDL-induced lipid accumulation. Immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence studies demonstrated that TLR4 was associated with Src on the plasma membrane upon oxLDL stimulation.
Conclusions:
The results of the present study suggest an essential role of TLR4-Src signaling in macrophages in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammation
Receptor-mediated Endocytosis
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
Overview of Lipid Metabolism
Lipolysis: The Breakdown of Lipids:
Lipolysis is the process of breaking down lipids, particularly triglycerides, into glycerol and fatty acids. This process typically occurs in the adipose tissue and is triggered by various hormones, including glucagon and...
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

