Red blood cells lack a nucleus, but still undertake a range of interesting activities. For example, they release extracellular vesicles. Researchers here note that these vesicles are protective for macrophages that ingest them, protecting the macrophages from being overwhelmed by excess cholesterol in the environment of an atherosclerotic plaque. Macrophages are responsible for cleaning up excess deposition of cholesterol in blood vessel walls, and when they falter at this task in later life,…
Red Blood Cell Extracellular Vesicles Assist Macrophages in Atherosclerotic Plaque
Red blood cells lack a nucleus, but still undertake a range of interesting activities. For example, they release extracellular vesicles. Researchers here note that these vesicles are protective for macrophages that ingest them, protecting the macrophages from being overwhelmed by excess cholesterol in the environment of an atherosclerotic plaque. Macrophages are responsible for cleaning up excess deposition of cholesterol in blood vessel walls, and when they falter at this task in later life,…