Class<scp>A</scp>1 scavenger receptors in cardiovascular diseases

<jats:sec><jats:label/><jats:p>Class<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">A</jats:styled-content>1 scavenger receptors (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">SR</jats:styled-content>‐<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">A</jats:styled-content>1) are membrane glycoproteins that can form homotrimers. This receptor was originally defined by its ability to mediate the accumulation of lipids in macrophages. Subsequent studies reveal that<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">SR</jats:styled-content>‐<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">A</jats:styled-content>1 plays critical roles in innate immunity, cell apoptosis and proliferation. This review highlights recent advances in understanding the structure, receptor pathway and regulation of<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">SR</jats:styled-content>‐<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">A</jats:styled-content>1. Although its role in atherosclerosis is disputable, recent discoveries suggest that<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">SR</jats:styled-content>‐<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">A</jats:styled-content>1 function in anti‐inflammatory responses by promoting an<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">M</jats:styled-content>2 macrophage phenotype in cardiovascular diseases. Therefore,<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">SR</jats:styled-content>‐<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">A</jats:styled-content>1 may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention of cardiovascular diseases.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Linked Articles</jats:title><jats:p>This article is part of a themed section on Chinese Innovation in Cardiovascular Drug Discovery. To view the other articles in this section visit<jats:ext-link xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-23">http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-23</jats:ext-link></jats:p></jats:sec>