Immune system cell may promote atherosclerosis
Cardiac patients can help prevent the unhealthy buildup of cholesterol in their arteries if they buy Canadian Lipitor.
Cardiac patients can help prevent the unhealthy buildup of cholesterol in their arteries if they buy Canadian Lipitor. Part of the process of cholesterol and plaque growth involves the accumulation of immune system cells known as macrophages, but scientists had been unclear as to why this happens. New research from NYU Langone Medical Center has figured out how this mechanism works.
Macrophages are larger cells that "eat" invading pathogens and other matter, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. These cells are sometimes given the task of eating up cholesterol deposits, but occasionally, they can fill up and stay behind in the arteries, leading to inflammation, the scientists said.
With the help of fluorescence microscopy, the study team discovered that macrophages can start to build up in the arteries if they secrete a protein known as netrin-1, which sends a signal to other macrophages to stop migrating. Furthermore, the researchers discovered that suppressing netrin-1 helps macrophages move out of the arteries again, as published in the journal Nature Immunology.
"This discovery provides new clues to help reduce the amount of plaque in arteries and the threat of atherosclerosis, a major cause of mortality in Western countries," said researcher Janine van Gils, PhD. "The development of a new strategy to diminish macrophage accumulation in plaque offers great promise to [reduce] the occurrence of fatal cardiac events."
|
