Activating transcription factor 1 directs Mhem atheroprotective macrophages through coordinated iron handling and foam cell protection.

Molecular Medicine Activating Transcription Factor 1 Directs Mhem Atheroprotective Macrophages Through Coordinated Iron Handling and Foam Cell Protection

Haptoglobin Genotype-Dependent Anti-Inflammatory Signaling in CD163+ Macrophages

Intraplaque hemorrhage causes adaptive remodelling of macrophages towards a protective phenotype specialized towards handling iron and lipid overload, denoted Mhem. The Mhem phenotype expresses elevated levels of hemoglobin (Hb) scavenger receptor, CD163, capable of endocytosing pro-oxidant free Hb complexed to acute phase protein haptoglobin (Hp). It is notable that individuals homozygous for ...

Simvastatin has an anti-inflammatory effect on macrophages via upregulation of an atheroprotective transcription factor, Kruppel-like factor 2.

AIMS Statins have beneficial vascular effects beyond their cholesterol-lowering action. Since macrophages play a central role in atherogenesis, we characterized the effects of simvastatin on gene expression profile of human peripheral blood monocyte (HPBM)-macrophages. METHODS AND RESULTS Gene expression profile was studied using Affymetrix gene chip analysis. Lentiviral gene transfer of Krup...

D4F alleviates macrophage-derived foam cell apoptosis by inhibiting CD36 expression and endoplasmic reticulum stress-CHOP pathway

This study was designed to explore the protective effect of D4F, an apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide, on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) pathway-mediated apoptosis in macrophages. Our results showed that treating apoE mice with D4F decreased serum ox-LDL level and apoptosis in atherosclerotic lesions with conc...

Vascular endothelial growth factor modified macrophages transdifferentiate into endothelial-like cells and decrease foam cell formation

Macrophages are largely involved in the whole process of atherosclerosis from an initiation lesion to an advanced lesion. Endothelial disruption is the initial step and macrophage-derived foam cells are the hallmark of atherosclerosis. Promotion of vascular integrity and inhibition of foam cell formation are two important strategies for preventing atherosclerosis. How can we inhibit even the re...