Fluid-phase pinocytosis of LDL by macrophages: a novel target to reduce macrophage cholesterol accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions.

ABSTRACT: Circulating low-density lipoprotein (LDL) that enters the blood vessel wall is the main source of cholesterol that accumulates within atherosclerotic plaques. Much of the deposited cholesterol accumulates within plaque macrophages converting these macrophages into cholesterol-rich foamy looking cells. Cholesterol accumulation in macrophages contributes to cholesterol retention within the vessel wall, and promotes vessel wall inflammation and thrombogenicity. Thus, how macrophages accumulate cholesterol and become foam cells has been the subject of intense investigation. It is generally believed that macrophages accumulate cholesterol only through scavenger receptor-mediated uptake of modified LDL. However, an alternative mechanism for macrophage foam cell formation that does not depend on

SUBMITTER: Kruth HS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6561333 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature