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Biological Roles of Liver X Receptors in Immune Cells

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  • Published:
Archivum Immunologiae et Therapiae Experimentalis Aims and scope

Abstract

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily that are activated by specific oxysterols. LXRs heterodimerize with retinoid X receptors to regulate positively the expression of a variety of target genes, many of which are involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. In the last few years, new targets of LXR activation have been identified with roles in the modulation of immune responses. Moreover, LXRs mediate repression of inflammatory pathways through mechanisms collectively known as transrepression. Here, we revise recent findings on the impact of LXR activation on immune responses, with an emphasis on advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate these effects.

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Abbreviations

ABC:

ATP-binding cassette transporter

AIM:

Apoptosis inhibitory protein secreted by macrophages

AP-1:

Activating protein-1

Apo:

Apolipoprotein

Ccl:

Chemokine (C–C motif) ligand

CCR7:

CC chemokine receptor-7

ChREBP:

Carbohydrate response element-binding protein

CORO2A:

Coronin 2A

GPS2:

G protein pathway suppressor 2

GR:

Glucocorticoid receptor

HDAC:

Histone deacetylase

HIV:

Human immunodeficiency virus

IFN-γ:

Ιnterferon-gamma

Ig:

Immunoglobulin

IL:

Interleukin

IRF:

Interferon-regulatory factor

LDL:

Low-density lipoproteins

LPS:

Lipopolysaccharide

LXR:

Liver X receptor

LXRE:

LXR response element

Mertk:

c-mer tyrosine kinase

NCoR:

Nuclear receptor co-repressor

NF-κB:

Nuclear factor kappa B

NOS2:

Nitric oxide synthase 2

PIAS:

Protein inhibitor of activated STAT

PPAR:

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor

RXR:

Retinoid X receptor

SMRT:

Silencing mediator of retinoic acid and thyroid hormone receptors

SREBP-1c:

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c

STAT-1:

Signal transducer and activator of transcription

SULT:

Sulfotransferase

SUMO:

Small ubiquitin-like modifier

Th:

Helper T cell

TLR:

Toll-like receptor

TNF-α:

Τumor necrosis factor alpha

VEGF:

Vascular endothelial growth factor

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (SAF2010-14989) and the Fundació Marató de TV3 (080930) (to A. F. Valledor.). M. Pascual-García is recipient of a fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Education (FPU program).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Receptor Group, Department of Physiology and Immunology, School of Biology, University of Barcelona, Av. Diagonal, 643, 3rd Floor, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Mónica Pascual-García & Annabel F. Valledor

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  1. Mónica Pascual-García
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  2. Annabel F. Valledor
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Correspondence to Annabel F. Valledor.

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Pascual-García, M., Valledor, A.F. Biological Roles of Liver X Receptors in Immune Cells. Arch. Immunol. Ther. Exp. 60, 235–249 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-012-0179-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00005-012-0179-9

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