Scavenger receptors

Scavenger receptors are trimeric integral membrane glycoproteins that are composed of three 77 kDa subunits.

Scavenger receptors can bind a variety of substances independent of concentration, absorb them phagocytotically and thus remove them from the blood (e.g. components of microorganisms and chemically modified (oxidized) LDL). Scavenger receptors are located in the cell membrane of macrophages, granulocytes, dendritic cells and endothelial cells.

Scavenger receptors are not subject to regulation by feedback and therefore lead to unhindered cholesterol uptake into the cells when plasma cholesterol levels are high. Overloading of macrophages with modified LDL-cholesterol leads to a degenerative transformation of the cells, to so-called foam cells, which are considered to be initiators of atherosclerotic vascular disease.