| Theme |
Arteriosclerosis in Hemodialysis Patient |
| Title |
The role of macrophages for the development of atherosclerosis |
| Author |
Eiichi Araki |
Department of Metabolic Medicine, Kumamoto University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Masakazu Sakai |
Department of Metabolic Medicine, Kumamoto University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Takafumi Senokuchi |
Department of Metabolic Medicine, Kumamoto University School of Medicine |
| Author |
Tomoko Matsuo |
Department of Metabolic Medicine, Kumamoto University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
The presence of a massive cluster of macrophage-derived foam cells in the subendothelial spaces is one of the characteristic features of the early stages of atherosclerotic lesions. It is generally accepted that peripheral macrophages are mature cells, and that the population of peripheral macrophages is maintained by influx of circulating monocytes originating from stem cells in the bone marrow. Previous immunohistochemical and morphological studies have demonstrated, however, the proliferation of macrophages and macrophage-derived foam cells in atherosclerotic lesions. Thus, it seems that the number of macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions is controlled by both influx of monocytes and local proliferation. Macrophages take up chemically modified low-density lipoproteins (LDL), such as oxidized LDL and acetylated LDL through the so-called "scavenger receptors", and transform into foam cells. Foam cells produce various bioactive molecules, such as cytokines, growth factors, chemoattractants and matrix metalloproteinases, which play an important role in the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. |