scholarly journals The cellular biology of atherosclerosis with atherosclerotic lesion classification and biomarkers

2021 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leta Melaku ◽  
Addisu Dabi
Keyword(s):  
Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Atherosclerotic Lesion ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Plaque Formation ◽  
Necrotic Core ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaques ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lesion Classification

Abstract Background Atherosclerosis is a chronic lipid-driven inflammatory disease with infiltration of low-density lipoprotein and is considered as the pivotal step in plaque formation. The aim of the review is to get into the fine details of pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for atherosclerosis with atherosclerotic lesion classification. It also provides a summary of current biomarkers other than the traditional risk factors so that new treatment modalities can emerge and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with atherosclerosis. Main body In the classification of atherosclerosis made by American Heart Association (AHA), AHA Type I lesion is the earliest vascular change described microscopically. AHA Type II lesion is primarily composed of abundant macrophages. AHA Type III lesion is the earliest of progressive lesions, while AHA Type IV lesion consists of an acellular necrotic core. Various biomarkers are implicated in different stages of the pathophysiological mechanism of plaque formation and evolution. C Reactive Protein plays a direct role in promoting the inflammatory component of atherosclerosis. Fibrinogen was demonstrated to be elevated among patients with acute thrombosis. Higher leukocyte count is associated with a greater cardiovascular risk. Cytokines have been implicated in atheroma formation and complications. High rates of protease activated receptor expression are also induced by interleukin-6 secretion in atherosclerotic lesions and areas of vascular tissue injury. Cluster of differentiation 40 receptor and its ligand have been also detected in atherosclerotic plaques. Osteopontin, acidic phosphoprotein, and osteoprotegerin have emerged as novel markers of atherosclerotic plaque composition. There are also overproductions of matrix metalloproteinases in the rupture-prone regions and promote lipid-necrotic core formation in the atherosclerotic plaque. Myeloperoxidase has been proposed as a marker of plaque instability. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 provides a route of entry for oxidized low-density lipoprotein into the endothelium. A human atherosclerotic lesion also expresses lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2. Short conclusion Atherosclerotic plaques are the battlefield between an unbalanced immune response and lipid accumulation in the intima of arteries. Most of the biomarkers associated with atherosclerosis are indicators of inflammatory response and will also be used for medical purposes.

The lectin-like oxidized low-density-lipoprotein receptor: a pro-inflammatory factor in vascular disease

2007 ◽  
Vol 409 (2) ◽  
pp. 349-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dunn ◽  
Ravinder S. Vohra ◽  
Jane E. Murphy ◽  
Shervanthi Homer-Vanniasinkam ◽  
John H. Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Disease ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Plaque Formation ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Lipoprotein Receptor ◽  
Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation ◽  
Density Lipoprotein Receptor

Scavenger receptors are membrane glycoproteins that bind diverse ligands including lipid particles, phospholipids, apoptotic cells and pathogens. LOX-1 (lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1) is increasingly linked to atherosclerotic plaque formation. Transgenic mouse models for LOX-1 overexpression or gene knockout suggests that LOX-1 contributes to atherosclerotic plaque formation and progression. LOX-1 activation by oxidized LDL (low-density lipoprotein) binding stimulates intracellular signalling, gene expression and production of superoxide radicals. A key question is the role of leucocyte LOX-1 in pro-atherogenic lipid particle trafficking, accumulation and signalling leading to differentiation into foam cells, necrosis and plaque development. LOX-1 expression is elevated within vascular lesions and a serum soluble LOX-1 fragment appears diagnostic of patients with acute coronary syndromes. LOX-1 is increasingly viewed as a vascular disease biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in heart attack and stroke prevention.

Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1): a crucial driver of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Akhmedov ◽  
Tatsuya Sawamura ◽  
Chu-Huang Chen ◽  
Simon Kraler ◽  
Daria Vdovenko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidized Ldl ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Ldl Receptor ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Plaque Formation ◽  
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Atheromatous Plaques

Abstract Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), specifically lipid-driven atherosclerotic CVDs, remain the number one cause of death worldwide. The lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-1 (LOX-1), a scavenger receptor that promotes endothelial dysfunction by inducing pro-atherogenic signalling and plaque formation via the endothelial uptake of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) and electronegative LDL, contributes to the initiation, progression, and destabilization of atheromatous plaques, eventually leading to the development of myocardial infarction and certain forms of stroke. In addition to its expression in endothelial cells, LOX-1 is expressed in macrophages, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, dendritic cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils, further implicating this receptor in multiple aspects of atherosclerotic plaque formation. LOX-1 holds promise as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for certain CVDs; therefore, understanding the molecular structure and function of LOX-1 is of critical importance. In this review, we highlight the latest scientific findings related to LOX-1, its ligands, and their roles in the broad spectrum of CVDs. We describe recent findings from basic research, delineate their translational value, and discuss the potential of LOX-1 as a novel target for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of related CVDs.

scholarly journals Melanocortin overexpression limits diet-induced inflammation and atherosclerosis in LDLR−/− mice

2018 ◽  
Vol 236 (3) ◽  
pp. 111-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salla Nuutinen ◽  
Liisa Ailanen ◽  
Eriika Savontaus ◽  
Petteri Rinne
Keyword(s):  
Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽  
Vascular Inflammation ◽  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Plaque Formation ◽  
Western Diet ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Melanocortin System ◽  
Atherosclerotic Plaque Formation

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arteries. The disease is initiated by endothelial dysfunction that allows the transport of leukocytes and low-density lipoprotein into the vessel wall forming atherosclerotic plaques. The melanocortin system is an endogenous peptide system that regulates, for example, energy homeostasis and cardiovascular function. Melanocortin treatment with endogenous or synthetic melanocortin peptides reduces body weight, protects the endothelium and alleviates vascular inflammation, but the long-term effects of melanocortin system activation on atheroprogression remain largely unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effects of transgenic melanocortin overexpression in a mouse model of atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-deficient mice overexpressing alpha- and gamma3-MSH (MSH-OE) and their wild-type littermates were fed either a regular chow or Western-style diet for 16 weeks. During this time, their metabolic parameters were monitored. The aortae were collected for functional analysis, and the plaques in the aortic root and arch were characterised by histological and immunohistochemical stainings. The aortic expression of inflammatory mediators was determined by quantitative PCR. We found that transgenic MSH-OE improved glucose tolerance and limited atherosclerotic plaque formation particularly in Western diet-fed mice. In terms of aortic vasoreactivity, MSH-OE blunted alpha1-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstriction and enhanced relaxation response to acetylcholine, indicating improved endothelial function. In addition, MSH-OE markedly attenuated Western diet-induced upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines (Ccl2, Ccl5 and Il6) that contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. These results show that the activation of the melanocortin system improves glucose homeostasis and limits diet-induced vascular inflammation and atherosclerotic plaque formation.

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