ABSTRACT
The present study aimed to determine whether the expression of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX-1) could be induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) in human mesangial cells (HMCs). Oil Red O staining was used to observe the uptake of Ox-LDL by HMCs stimulated with IL-1ß, and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis and western blotting were used to examine the expression of LOX-1 in HMC following Ox-LDL and IL-1ß treatment. Uptake of Ox-LDL by HMCs was upregulated upon stimulation with IL-1ß. Furthermore, Ox-LDL (10-40 µg/ml) treatment induced LOX-1 mRNA and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, when HMCs were treated with IL-1ß and Ox-LDL, the expression of LOX-1 was enhanced further. These results indicated that inhibiting LOX-1 expression or inhibiting the Ox-LDL/LOX-1 signaling axis may be a potential novel method for treating renal disease.
