LZIP is known to be involved in regulation of cell growth by binding to human host cell factor, which is involved in cell proliferation ( Jin et al., 2000). The human leucine zipper protein LZIP is a ubiquitous transcription factor that belongs to the bZIP superfamily ( Burbelo et al., 1994 Lu et al., 1997, 1998). Although MCP-1 and CCR2 are believed to play an important role in leukocyte trafficking and the development of atherosclerosis, little information is available regarding the mechanism of intracellular signaling events that regulates the expression of chemokine receptors.

CC chemokine receptor (CCR) 2 is highly expressed in peripheral blood monocytes, macrophages, and T lymphocytes and it is the only established functional receptor for MCP-1 on hematopoietic cells ( Boring et al., 1998 Berger et al., 1999 Han et al., 2000). MCP-1 is induced by various stimuli, such as cytokines and oxidized adducts, and is secreted from endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and macrophages ( Myers et al., 1996). Evidence suggests that chemokines and their receptors are involved in development of inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis ( Nelken et al., 1991 Gu et al., 1998 Dawson et al.,1999 Reape and Groot, 1999 Yu et al., 2004 Ko et al., 2007).ĬC chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1/CCL2 is a chemoattractant for monocytes. The action of chemokines is mediated by their receptors, a family of seven transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptors ( Gerard and Rollins, 2001). Chemokines are a superfamily of chemotactic cytokines that are categorized into four groups on the basis of their conservation of four cysteine residues and on their ability to induce leukocyte trafficking into sites of inflammation ( Gerard and Rollins, 2001).

Lzip atf2