Fig. 8

A proposed model for the role of CKIP-1 in atherosclerosis. CKIP-1 regulates the formation of foam cells by coupling proteasome activator REGγ to target the transcription factor Oct-1 for degradation, thereby suppressing the transcription of LOX-1 and the macrophage lipid uptake. On the contrary, Ckip-1 deficiency results in the increased expression of LOX-1, facilitates uptake of oxLDL and accumulation of cholesterol within the cells, and further results in the promotion of atherosclerosis