Oxidized LDL but not angiotensin II induces the interaction between LOX-1 and AT1 receptors

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) can induce cardiac hypertrophy, but the mechanism is still unclear. Here we elucidate the role of angiotensin II (AngII) receptor (AT1-R) in Ox-LDL-induced cardiomycyte hypertrophy. Inhibition of Ox-LDL receptor LOX-1 and AT1-R rather than AngII abolished Ox-LDL-induced hypertrophic responses. Similar results were obtained from the heart of mice lacking endogenous Ang II and their cardiomyocytes. Ox-LDL but not AngII induced binding of LOX-1 to AT1-R, and the inhibition of LOX-1 or AT1-R rather than AngII abolished the association of these two receptors. Ox-LDL-induced ERKs phosphorylation in LOX-1 and AT1-R-overexpression cells and the binding of both receptors were suppressed by the mutants of LOX-1 (Lys266Ala/Lys267Ala) or AT1-R (Glu257Ala), however, the AT1-R mutant lacking Gq protein-coupling ability only abolished the ERKs phosphorylation. The phosphorylation of ERKs induced by Ox-LDL in LOX-1 and AT1-R-overexpression cells was abrogated by Gq protein inhibitor but not by Jak2, Rac1 and RhoA inhibitors. Therefore, the direct interaction between LOX-1 and AT1-R and the downstream Gq protein activation are important mechanisms for Ox-LDL-but not AngII-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.