The liver X receptor gene team: Potential new players in atherosclerosis

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are sterol-responsive transcription factors that regulate expression of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism and homeostasis. Maintenance of normal cholesterol levels has implicated the involvement of LXR-induced genes in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. The modulation of LXRs of their downstream targets may provide alternative therapeutic strategies for the management of this disease.