Toll-like receptor 2 plays a critical role in the progression of atherosclerosis that is independent of dietary lipids.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Toll-like receptors (TLRs), a group of pathogen-associated microbial pattern recognition receptors, play an important role in innate immune signaling and are differentially regulated in chronic inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis. However, the involvement of TLRs in the progression of atherosclerosis is still unclear.

Methods and results

TLR2 and apolipoprotein E double knockout (Tlr2(-/-)Apoe(-/-)) mice were generated and the progressive formation of atherosclerotic plaque in the aortas was examined in mice fed a normal chow diet. We demonstrate that inactivation of TLR2 resulted in reduced progression of atherosclerosis in both male and female Apoe(-/-) mice. Likewise, TLR2 deficiency resulted in a reduction in lipid accumulation and decreased macrophag

SUBMITTER: Liu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2243224 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature