Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death in the world. A significant body of evidence suggests that inflammation and various players are implicated and have pivotal roles in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is linked with different stages of atherosclerosis. This receptor is highly expressed in the endothelial cells (ECs) and atherosclerotic plaques. TLR4 activation can lead to the production of inflammatory cytokines and related responses. Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein-1 (LOX-1), an integral membrane glycoprotein with widespread expression on the ECs, is involved in atherosclerosis and has some common pathways with TLR4 in atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type9 (PCSK9), which is a regulatory enzyme with different roles in cholesterol uptake, is implicated in atherosclerosis. At present, TLR4, PCSK9, and LOX-1 are increasingly acknowledged as key players in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Herein, we presented the current evidence on the structure, functions, and roles of TLR4, PCSK9, and LOX-1 in atherosclerosis.

中文翻译：

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动脉粥样硬化和 Toll 样受体 4 (TLR4)、凝集素样氧化低密度脂蛋白-1 (LOX-1) 和前蛋白转化酶枯草杆菌蛋白酶/Kexin 9 型 (PCSK9)

动脉粥样硬化是世界上死亡的主要原因。大量证据表明，炎症和各种因素都与动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成有关，并且在动脉粥样硬化斑块的形成中发挥着关键作用。Toll 样受体 4 (TLR4) 与动脉粥样硬化的不同阶段有关。该受体在内皮细胞 (EC) 和动脉粥样硬化斑块中高度表达。TLR4 激活可导致炎症细胞因子的产生和相关反应。凝集素样氧化低密度脂蛋白-1 (LOX-1) 是一种在 EC 上广泛表达的完整膜糖蛋白，参与动脉粥样硬化，并与动脉粥样硬化病变中的 TLR4 具有一些共同的通路。此外，前蛋白转化酶枯草杆菌蛋白酶/kexin 9 型 (PCSK9) 是一种在胆固醇摄取中具有不同作用的调节酶，与动脉粥样硬化有关。目前，TLR4、PCSK9和LOX-1越来越被认为是动脉粥样硬化性心血管疾病发病机制中的关键参与者。在此，我们提出了有关 TLR4、PCSK9 和 LOX-1 在动脉粥样硬化中的结构、功能和作用的最新证据。