Macrophages in Atherosclerosis, First or Second Row Players?

ABSTRACT: Macrophages represent a cell type that has been widely described in the context of atherosclerosis since the earliest studies in the 17th century. Their role has long been considered to be preponderant in the onset and aggravation of atherosclerosis, in particular by participating in the establishment of a chronic inflammatory state by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and by uncontrolled engorgement of lipids resulting in the formation of foam cells and later of the necrotic core. However, recent evidence from mouse models using an elegant technique of tracing vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during plaque development revealed that resident VSMCs display impressive plastic properties in response to an arterial injury, allowing them to switch into different cell types within th

SUBMITTER: Checkouri E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8465019 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature