Quo vadis, atherogenesis? Part 2. Tunica adiposa - the new player in the process of atherogenesis

A Real Player in Atherogenesis

An important early step in atherosclerosis is binding of apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB-100)– containing lipoproteins (VLDL, IDL, and LDL) to the proteoglycan component of the extracellular matrix of the arterial intima.1,2 When oxidative agents or enzymes attack the proteoglycan-bound lipoproteins, they become oxidatively modified, and when various intimal proteases or lipases hydrolyze them, they...

Is thrombin a key player in the 'coagulation-atherogenesis' maze?

In addition to its established roles in the haemostatic system, thrombin is an intriguing coagulation protease demonstrating an array of effects on endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), monocytes, and platelets, all of which are involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. There is mounting evidence that thrombin acts as a powerful modulator of many processes like regul...

The microcirculation in atherogenesis.

The term ‘atherosclerosis’ is generally employed for a disease process characterized by the formation of atheromas (fibrofatty intimal plaques) resulting in progressive hardening of the arterial wall, loss of vascular elasticity, and luminal compromise. Different segments of the vascular tree vary in their susceptibility to develop atherosclerotic lesions: atheromas have been described characte...

Scavenging new insights into atherogenesis.

Neurosurgery in Papua New Guinea: quo vadis?

The key health priorities for Papua New Guinea (PNG) are to alleviate poverty, improve nutrition, ensure safe drinking water and sanitation, prevent and treat infectious diseases such as malaria, pneumonia, gastroenteritis, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome), reduce infant and maternal mortality, and reduce the disability and death arisi...