Abstract 1339: LOX-1 Ablation Reduces Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is associated with intense oxidative stress and upregulation of LOX-1, a receptor for oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). To determine the contribution of LOX-1 expression in atherogenesis, we studied 4 groups of mice, wild-type C57BL/6J, LDLR KO mice, LOX-1 KO mice, and LDLR-LOX-1 double KO mice (n=10 in each group). All animals were fed with high cholesterol diet (4% cholesterol in vegetable oil) for 18 weeks. Extent of atherosclerosis was determined by Sudan IV staining of the entire length of aorta as well as by cross-section analysis of multiple aortic sections. LOX-1 expression (mRNA and protein) was enhanced in the LDLR KO mice (P