Olr1-flox Mouse

Olr1, also known as oxidized LDL receptor 1, encodes LOX-1, LOXIN, and OLR1D4 transcript variants. It is involved in recognizing ligands like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and has been implicated in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders [2].

In the context of atherosclerosis, LOX-1, a product of Olr1, is the main ox-LDL receptor of endothelial cells, macrophages, and smooth muscle cells. Its up-regulation contributes to atherosclerotic plaque formation and progression [3].

In cancer research, Olr1 has shown significance. In pancreatic cancer, Olr1 promotes cell proliferation and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. It increases HMGA2 transcription by upregulating c-Myc expression [4].

In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), Olr1 is highly expressed on tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and high Olr1 expression is associated with unfavorable overall survival, suggesting its potential as a prognostic marker and immunotherapy target [5].

In esophageal cancer, Olr1 suppresses autophagic cell death to promote tumorigenesis [6].

Also, in a pan-cancer analysis, Olr1 is highly expressed in most cancers, associated with patient prognosis, and related to immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint molecules, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI) in some cancers. In HNSCC, it may affect epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness, and cuproptosis resistance outcomes, and patients with high Olr1 expression are prone to immune escape and less responsive to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy [1].

In conclusion, Olr1 plays important roles in both cardiovascular and cancer-related biological processes. In cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, it contributes to plaque formation. In cancer, it affects tumor progression, metastasis, and the tumor immune microenvironment. The study of Olr1 in disease models helps understand disease mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets.