Abstract
Throughout the process of atherosclerosis, lesional macrophages, smooth muscle cells, and possibly endothelial cells undergo programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Under normal physiologic conditions, apoptotic cells are rapidly cleared by neighboring phagocytes, a process called efferocytosis, which prevents secondary cellular necrosis and inflammation. If efferocytosis is not efficient, necrosis, inflammation, and tissue damage ensue. Mouse models of atherosclerosis offer the best opportunity to understand the mechanisms and consequences of lesional cell apoptosis and efferocytosis in atherogenesis and plaque progression. Studies in mice to date have suggested that properly coupled macrophage apoptosis and efferocytosis in early atherosclerosis limits lesion size. The results of other mouse studies suggest that macrophage and smooth muscle cell apoptosis and defective efferocytosis in advanced lesions promotes plaque necrosis. Future insight into these critically important processes will require additional insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to lesional cell apoptosis and efferocytosis as well as new mouse models of plaque disruption and thrombosis. Advances in these areas offer great hope for eventual translation into innovative therapeutic strategies to combat atherothrombotic vascular disease.
Keywords: inflammation, Advanced Atherosclerosis, APOE, macrophage proliferation, ER stress
Current Drug Targets
Title: Apoptosis and Efferocytosis in Mouse Models of Atherosclerosis
Volume: 8 Issue: 12
Author(s): Ira Tabas
Affiliation:
Keywords: inflammation, Advanced Atherosclerosis, APOE, macrophage proliferation, ER stress
Abstract: Throughout the process of atherosclerosis, lesional macrophages, smooth muscle cells, and possibly endothelial cells undergo programmed cell death, or apoptosis. Under normal physiologic conditions, apoptotic cells are rapidly cleared by neighboring phagocytes, a process called efferocytosis, which prevents secondary cellular necrosis and inflammation. If efferocytosis is not efficient, necrosis, inflammation, and tissue damage ensue. Mouse models of atherosclerosis offer the best opportunity to understand the mechanisms and consequences of lesional cell apoptosis and efferocytosis in atherogenesis and plaque progression. Studies in mice to date have suggested that properly coupled macrophage apoptosis and efferocytosis in early atherosclerosis limits lesion size. The results of other mouse studies suggest that macrophage and smooth muscle cell apoptosis and defective efferocytosis in advanced lesions promotes plaque necrosis. Future insight into these critically important processes will require additional insight into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that lead to lesional cell apoptosis and efferocytosis as well as new mouse models of plaque disruption and thrombosis. Advances in these areas offer great hope for eventual translation into innovative therapeutic strategies to combat atherothrombotic vascular disease.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Tabas Ira, Apoptosis and Efferocytosis in Mouse Models of Atherosclerosis, Current Drug Targets 2007; 8 (12) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945007783220623
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138945007783220623 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New drug therapy for eye diseases
Eyesight is one of the most critical senses, accounting for over 80% of our perceptions. Our quality of life might be significantly affected by eye disease, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, etc. Although the development of microinvasive ocular surgery reduces surgical complications and improves overall outcomes, medication therapy is ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Preface: EDITORIAL COMMENT “Perfect 24-hr Blood Pressure Control” From Morning to Nocturnal Hypertension: Up-To-Date 2015
Current Hypertension Reviews Hepatic PPARs: Their Role in Liver Physiology, Fibrosis and Treatment
Current Medicinal Chemistry MicroRNA Therapeutics: The Emerging Anticancer Strategies
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Aging of the T-cell Immune Response
Current Genomics Imaging and Laboratory Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Sex Differences in Biomarkers for Predicting Cardiovascular and Coronary Events
Current Vascular Pharmacology Involvement of the ADAM 12 in Thrombin-Induced Rat's VSMCs Proliferation
Current Medicinal Chemistry Effects of Obesity on Vascular Potassium Channels
Current Vascular Pharmacology Pharmacological Activity of Cardiovascular Agents from Herbal Medicine
Cardiovascular & Hematological Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Neuroprotective Effects of Agomelatine and Vinpocetine Against Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion Induced Vascular Dementia
Current Neurovascular Research Neonatal Hypertension: An Underdiagnosed Condition, A Review Article
Current Hypertension Reviews Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Anti-Thrombotic Therapy Targeted to Von Willebrand Factor
Current Vascular Pharmacology The Role of P2Y<sub>12</sub> Receptor and Activated Platelets During Inflammation
Current Drug Targets The Pathobiology of Endothelin-1 in Vein Graft Disease: Are ETA Receptor Antagonists the Solution to Prevent Vein Graft Failure?
Current Vascular Pharmacology High Serum Alkaline Phosphatase Levels in Relation to Multi-Cerebral Microbleeds in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and/or Rheumatic Heart Disease
Current Neurovascular Research Hypertensive Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Regression: Does It Matter?
Current Hypertension Reviews Follicular Cysts: A Single Sign and Different Diseases. A View from Comparative Medicine
Current Pharmaceutical Design Towards Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors as New Antimalarial Drugs
Current Pharmaceutical Design Can an Apple a Day Keep the Doctor Away?
Current Pharmaceutical Design Potential Therapeutic Targeting of Platelet-Mediated Cellular Interactions in Atherosclerosis and Inflammation
Current Medicinal Chemistry