Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic progressive inflammatory vascular disease, which is an important pathological basis for inducing a variety of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases. As a kind of inflammatory cells, macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in atherosclerotic plaques and participate in the whole process of atherosclerosis and are the most abundant immune cells in atherosclerotic plaques. Recent studies have shown that programmed cell death plays a critical role in the progression of many diseases. At present, it is generally believed that the programmed death of macrophages can affect the development and stability of atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques, and the intervention of macrophage death may become the target of atherosclerotic therapy. This article reviews the role of macrophage programmed cell death in the progression of atherosclerosis and the latest therapeutic strategies targeting macrophage death within plaques.
Highlights
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease with complex pathogenesis, which is the pathological basis of a variety of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and has always been the focus of medical researchers
Macrophage programmed cell death is closely related to the formation and instability of atherosclerotic plaques, and it plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis
Various death modes of macrophages have diverse effects on atherogenesis in different stages, so strategies should be adopted for different stages and modes of atherosclerosis
Summary
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease with complex pathogenesis, which is the pathological basis of a variety of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and has always been the focus of medical researchers. Macrophages participate in the progression of the atherosclerotic lesion via uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and ensuing foam cell formation. Macrophage proliferation, aggregation, aging, and death have an impact on the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis. These aspects can be used as potential directions of anti-atherosclerotic therapy. Macrophage programmed cell death plays a important role in atherosclerosis. The aggregation and death of macrophages may promote the formation and enlargement of lipid necrotic core and the instability of plaques (Lutgens et al, 1999). This review will concentrate on the research progress of various programmed death modes and targeted therapy of macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques
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