OLR1 and endothelial dysfunction: To analyze the biological significance of sLOX-1 shedding and the effect of cholesterol modulation, we have employed the human umbilical vein endothelial cell line EA.hy926 (EA) as a model system [49], since ox-LDL-induced over-expression of LOX-1 receptors is associated to endothelial dysfunction [2].