Background—Ly-6C monocytes are key contributors to atherosclerosis in mice. However, the manner in which Ly-6C monocytes selectively accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions is largely unknown. Monocyte homing to sites of atherosclerosis is primarily initiated by rolling on Pand E-selectin expressed on endothelium. We hypothesize that P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), the common ligand of...

BACKGROUND Ly-6C(hi) monocytes are key contributors to atherosclerosis in mice. However, the manner in which Ly-6C(hi) monocytes selectively accumulate in atherosclerotic lesions is largely unknown. Monocyte homing to sites of atherosclerosis is primarily initiated by rolling on P- and E-selectin expressed on endothelium. We hypothesize that P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), the common...

UNLABELLED Chemotactic peptides, such as Monocyte Chemotactic Protein 1 (MCP-1), play a key role in transendothelial migration of mononuclear cells during the development and progression of atherosclerotic disease. Because atherosclerotic plaques that are precursors of acute coronary events harbor abundant macrophage infiltration, we hypothesized that the detection of a high concentration of MC...

BACKGROUND Osteopontin (OPN) is a noncollagenous adhesion protein found at the site of atherosclerotic lesions. However, it has not yet been clarified whether or not OPN can promote atherosclerotic lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS We investigated the contribution of OPN to atherosclerosis by evaluating aortic sinus lesions of both OPN transgenic (Tg) and non-Tg mice fed an atherogenic diet (1.25% c...

Lesion composition plays a significant role in atherosclerotic lesion instability and rupture. Current clinical techniques cannot fully characterize lesion composition or accurately identify unstable lesions. This study investigates the use of time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy for unstable atherosclerotic lesion diagnosis. The fluorescence of human coronary artery samples was induced with...

OBJECTIVE To examine infiltration of blood foamy monocytes, containing intracellular lipid droplets, into early atherosclerotic lesions and its contribution to development of nascent atherosclerosis. APPROACH AND RESULTS In apoE(-/-) mice fed Western high-fat diet (WD), >10% of circulating monocytes became foamy monocytes at 3 days on WD and >20% of monocytes at 1 week. Foamy monocytes also f...

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease regulated by infiltrating monocytes and T cells, among other cell types. Macrophage recruitment to atherosclerotic lesions is controlled by monocyte infiltration into plaques. Once in the lesion, macrophage proliferation in situ, apoptosis, and differentiation to an inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory phenotype (M2) are involved in progression to ad...

BACKGROUND Folate receptor β (FRβ) is induced during macrophage activation. A recombinant immunotoxin consisting of the truncated Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE38) conjugated to an anti-FRβ antibody (anti-FRβ-PE38) has been reported to kill activated macrophages in inflammatory diseases. To elucidate the effect of an immunotoxin targeting FRβ on atherosclerosis, we determined the presence of FRβ-ex...

BACKGROUND Atherosclerosis begins in childhood and progresses through young adulthood to form the lesions that cause coronary heart disease. These preclinical lesions are associated with coronary heart disease risk factors in young persons. METHODS The Pathobiological Determinants of Atherosclerosis in Youth study collected arteries and samples of blood and other tissues from persons aged 15 ...