Atherosclerosis is a consequence of macrophage dysfunction. Macrophages are innate immune cells that help to remove excess cholesterol from blood vessel walls; cholesterol is primarily manufactured in the liver, and must travel through the bloodstream on LDL particles to reach the rest of the body. Macrophages help to retrieve unwanted cholesterol and return it to the bloodstream, attaching it to HDL particles for a return to the liver and excretion. This all works just fine in youth, but with age macrophages become inflammatory and dysfunctional, overwhelmed by cholesterol and the aged tissue environment, failing …
TRPM2 Deletion Reduces Macrophage Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis in Mice
Atherosclerosis is a consequence of macrophage dysfunction. Macrophages are innate immune cells that help to remove excess cholesterol from blood vessel walls; cholesterol is primarily manufactured in the liver, and must travel through the bloodstream on LDL particles to reach the rest of the body. Macrophages help to retrieve unwanted cholesterol and return it to the bloodstream, attaching it to HDL particles for a return to the liver and excretion. This all works just fine in youth, but with age macrophages become inflammatory and dysfunctional, overwhelmed by cholesterol and the aged tissue environment, failing …