Affimers, protein-based residues as detection tools for the lectin-like low density lipoprotein 1 Scavenger receptor

The role that lectin-like oxidised low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) plays in atherosclerosis is an important research point. The current use of antibodies to inhibit LOX-1 activity is not promising and thus using antibody alternatives is a reasonable step to overcome the pitfalls of antibodies. Affimers, small protein scaffolds, are a potential LOX-1 inhibitors. They could be used in isolation of in combination with antibodies to identify and inhibit the uptake of oxidised low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) into the endothelial cells. This work aims at establishing the ability of Affimers to bind and detect LOX-1 in vivo and in cell cultures in a preparatory step to test their use in animal and human –extracted tissues from disease and control subjects. The evolution of this technology will offer an advancement in the diagnostic and therapeutic modules of atherosclerosis.