From Health to Disease: Functional Insights of Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I in Lipid Metabolism and Disease Pathogenesis

Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-B1) has caught considerable interest among the scientific community due to its pivotal role in several biological and pathological processes. It is a multifunctional integral membrane protein and multiligand receptor encoded by the SCARB1 gene. SR-B1 has a wide distribution, primarily in the liver as well as steroidogenic organs including the gonads and adrenal glands, and a reduced expression is noted in macrophages, adipocytes, lung tissue and endothelial cells. Its expression across different tissues reflects its diversity in various physiological processes. Alongside, defects can alter the normal rhythm of the body's functioning, leading to the pathogenesis of various diseases. In cholesterol-demanding cells, SR-B1 highlights its significant role in cholesterol homeostasis. This paper explores the multifaced role of SR-B1 in regulating cholesterol handling, its involvement in inflammatory signaling pathways, and its interactions with various transcription factors, inflammatory mediators, and as a therapeutic target across various disease contexts.