Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Turkiye Klinikleri Journal of Medical Sciences, cilt.39, sa.4, ss.430-443, 2019 (SCI-Expanded)
© 2019 by Türkiye Klinikleri.The liver X receptors (LXRs) are ligand-activated transcription factors belonging to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. There are two subtypes as LXR alpha and beta. LXR alpha is primarily expressed in liver, heart, vessels, kidney, intestine, adipose tissue and macrophages, whereas LXR beta is widely expressed. These receptors are master regulators of cholesterol and lipid metabolism. When LXRs are stimulated with endogenous (oxysterols) or exogenous ligands (T0901317, GW3965 etc), they form heterodimer with retinoid X receptors and LXR-RXR heterodimers bind to their target DNA sequences (LXR response element; LXRE). In this way, LXRs regulate the cholesterol homeostasis through modulating the expression of multiple genes involved in the efflux and absorption of the cholesterol, transfer of the cholesterol from non-hepatic cells to the liver and cholesterol excretion into the bile. LXR agonists also trigger de novo fatty acid synthesis by stimulating the expression of lipogenic transcription factors and cause the elevation of plasma triglycerides and liver steatosis. In addition to these functions, it has been shown that LXRs have beneficial effects in the pathologies occurring in the heart and vessel bed through regulating the transcription of different target genes. Comprehensive researchs have been carried out to examine the roles of LXR in atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, diabetes and diabetes-associated cardiovascular pathologies. In this review, the important roles of LXRs in cardiovascular diseases and their potential use as drug target for the treatment were summarized.