Macrophage scavenger receptors and foam cell formation

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Abstract
Scavenger receptors bind and internalize modified low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL). Because the expression of scavenger receptors is not down‐regulated by cholesterol, macrophages (M) expressing scavenger receptors can internalize substantial quantities of cholesteryl ester from oxidized LDL and HDL, leading to foam cell formation. M express several different classes of the growing scavenger receptor family on their cell surface and their relative contribution to M cholesterol physiology and atherogenesis is the subject of intense investigation. We focus on the potential role of two scavenger receptors, macrosialin and SR‐BI/II in M cholesterol metabolism. Macrosialin is a predominantly M‐specific oxidized LDL‐binding protein and an atherogenic diet markedly up‐regulates its hepatic expression in atherosclerosis‐susceptible and atherosclerosis‐resistant mouse strains. The HDL receptor, SR‐BI and its splicing variant SR‐BII, colocalize with caveolin in caveolae in M. Caveolae are initial acceptor sites for cholesteryl esters and these findings indicate a possible role for caveolae and SR‐BI in M‐selective lipid uptake and in regulating M cholesterol flux in the vascular wall. J. Leukoc. Biol. 66: 740–746; 1999.

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