Atherosclerosis and molecular pathology: mechanisms of cholesteryl ester accumulation in foam cells and extracellular space of atherosclerotic lesions.

This article reviews aspects of the molecular pathology of cholesteryl ester accumulation in atherosclerotic lesions. 1. Transcytosis of lipoproteins through cultured endothelial monolayer. 2. Transformation to foam cell from macrophage. 3. Cholesteryl ester deposition in the extracellular space of atherosclerotic lesions. We also discuss the development and use of novel monoclonal antibodies recognizing atherosclerotic lesions and peroxidized lipoproteins prepared from atherosclerotic lesions.