How are monocytes involved in atherosclerosis?

In addition to the accumulation of lipids and formation of atherogenic ‘foam’ cells, monocytes may promote atherosclerotic plaque growth by production of inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and reactive oxidative species.

How are macrophages involved in atherosclerosis?

Macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions actively participate in lipoprotein ingestion and accumulation giving rise to foam cells filled with lipid droplets. Accumulation of foam cells contributes to lipid storage and atherosclerotic plaque growth.

What role does macrophages play in atherosclerosis?

Macrophages in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease play a central role in the development of plaques. Classically activated M1 macrophages are implicated in initiating and sustaining inflammation, and alternatively activated or M2 macrophages are linked to inflammation resolution.

Where are monocytes and macrophages found?

Whereas monocytes are typically found circulating in blood (for 1 or 2 days), macrophages are found in various body tissues/extracellular fluid. On the other hand, monocytes are small in comparison to macrophages which are the largest of all white blood cells.

What is foam cell in atherosclerosis?

Foam cells, also called lipid-laden macrophages, are a type of cell that contain cholesterol. These can form a plaque that can lead to atherosclerosis and trigger heart attacks and stroke. Foam cells are fat-laden M2 macrophages containing low density lipoproteins (LDL).

What are foam cells how are they involved in atherosclerosis?

How are monocytes and macrophages related?

Monocytes and macrophages are very closely related cells with a few important distinctions and different use cases. Put simply, monocytes are macrophages in the blood; macrophages are monocytes in tissue.

How are monocytes and macrophages different?

The main difference between monocyte and macrophage is that monocyte is the precursors of some of the macrophages whereas macrophages are the professional phagocytes, which engulf pathogens invading the body. Monocytes are bean-shaped small cells whereas macrophages are irregular-shaped large cells.

How are monocyte-derived macrophages produced in the body?

(A) Monocyte-derived macrophages are produced through enhanced myelopoiesis in response to hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, or obesity-associated adipose inflammation and infiltrate the plaque where lipid-loading triggers transformation into foam cells.

Are there any macrophages derived from bone marrow?

While macrophages have traditionally been considered to be derived from bone marrow (BM) monocytes, evidence in a number of organs has demonstrated that, under steady-state conditions, monocyte-derived macrophages contribute little to overall macrophage populations ( Yona et al.]

Why are macrophages important in the development of atherosclerotic disease?

In mice, macrophages are particularly important in promoting the development of early atherosclerotic lesions beginning to accumulate during the formation of fatty streaks; however, they are also involved in the transformation to a mature, inflammatory and unstable lesion, vulnerable to rupture ( Moore and Tabas, 2011 ).

Which is more dominant m2 or M1 in atherosclerosis?

During the early fatty-streak stages of atherosclerosis in mice, M2 (pro-resolving) macrophages predominate in the lesion, whereas more advanced plaques are suggested to exhibit a shift towards an M1 (inflammatory)-dominant state ( Khallou-Laschet et al., 2010 ).