Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
26
CHAPTER
Adhesion Molecules and Oxidized
Low-density Lipoprotein
Masaaki Matsumoto
Department of Dermatology, Narita Memorial Hospital,
78 Shirakawa-cho, Toyohashi, Aichi 441-8021, Japan,
E-mail:
matsumo@meiyokai.or.jp
ABSTRACT
Interactions between lipoproteins and vascular endothelium are considered to be a
central component of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cutaneous xanthomas.
h e binding of oxidized low-density lipoprotein to cell membrane receptors
(including scavenger receptors) activates an intracellular signal transduction
pathway that produces adhesion molecules on the surface of endothelial cells.
Circulating monocytes adhere to these molecules and subsequently migrate across
the cell membrane into the lesions, thus leading to the progression of the two
diseases. Growing evidence indicates that the mechanisms of adhesion molecule
expression vary depending on the oxidation process of low-density lipoprotein, the
responsible molecules of oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and the organ specii city
of the endothelial cells. h is chapter summarizes the i ndings of recent studies
involving the induction of adhesion molecule expression in vascular endothelial
cells by oxidized low-density lipoprotein. A variety of drugs and nutrients have
been used to regulate the adhesion molecule expression and degree of monocyte
adhesion, and the mechanisms of these substances have also been elucidated in
recent studies. Numerous signaling molecules have been implicated in the onset/
progression of atherosclerosis and cutaneous xanthomas. Further investigations
that clarify the mechanisms of adhesion molecule expression are expected to help
Key terms are dei ned at the end of the chapter.
