NLRP3 mediates lipid-driven macrophage proliferation in established atherosclerosis.

ABSTRACT: An increased number of macrophages in the atherosclerotic plaque is associated with plaque instability and plaque progression. Lowering systemic cholesterol levels suppresses local macrophage proliferation and leads to plaque regression. However, the pathways regulating macrophage proliferation remain poorly understood. We investigated the cellular processes that underlie lipid-triggered local macrophage proliferation in the atherosclerotic plaque in transgenic mice and in human plaque tissue samples. Macrophages from mice with genetic deficiencies in scavenger receptors Cd36^-/- and Msr1^-/- showed reduced lipid uptake, lower intracellular lipid content, and lower proliferation compared to wild type macrophages. Double knockouts for the cholesterol exporters Abca1 and

SUBMITTER: Hardtner C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12680701 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature