OBJECTIVE microRNA-155 (miR155) plays a critical role in immunity and macrophage inflammation. We aim to investigate the role of miR155 in atherogenesis. APPROACH AND RESULTS Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that miR155 was expressed in mouse and human atherosclerotic lesions. miR155 expression in macrophages was correlated positively with proinflammatory cytokine expre...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Atherosclerosis occurs later and is less extensive in intracranial arteries than in extracranial arteries. However, the mechanisms responsible are poorly understood. A previous study has suggested a better antioxidant protection of intracranial arteries. METHODS To assess the influence of age on arterial activity of antioxidant enzymes and atherogenesis, we compared int...

During atherogenesis, blood monocytes transmigrate into the subendothelial space and differentiate toward macrophages and foam cells. The major driver of monocyte-macrophage differentiation is macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). M-CSF-induced macrophages are important promoters of atherogenesis as demonstrated in M-CSF and M-CSF receptor knock out mice. However, M-CSF is not the only ...

Although considerable evidence implicates the cytokine interferon (IFN)in atherogenesis, the proximal inducers and the range of sources of its expression remain unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that interleukin (IL)-18 regulates IFNexpression during atherogenesis. Indeed, human atheroma in situ expressed IL-18 and elevated levels of its receptor subunits, IL-18R / , compared with nondi...

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Atherosclerosis is responsible for most of this pathology and is an inflammatory disease with multiple cytokines and adhesion molecules expressed during atherogenesis. Cytomegalovirus (CMV), monocytes, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) have all been implicated in human atherogenesis. A transgenic mouse o...

Numerous lines of evidence implicate a role for myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Enriched within vulnerable plaque, MPO serves as an enzymatic source of eicosanoids and bioactive lipids and generates atherogenic forms of both low- and high-density lipoproteins. These factors likely contribute to clinical studies demonstrating that increased systemic levels of MPO an...

Correspondence to: Dr Miles Fisher, Wards 4 & 5, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, G4 0SF, UK; miles.fisher@northglasgow. scot.nhs.uk _________________________ T he excessive cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes (sometimes termed ‘‘the burden of heart disease in diabetes’’) has been recognised for a long time. Because of this, I have suggested that diabetes should be ...

Several naturally occurring constituents have received considerable attention because of their potential antioxidant activity. Consuming a diet rich in natural antioxidants has been associated with prevention from and/or treatment of atherosclerosis. Bioactive components of food, which are of special interest, include the Vitamins E and C, polyphenols, carotenoids-mainly lycopene and beta-carot...

and Atherogenesis To the Editor: Khairy et al1 reported a lack of association between chronic infection and endothelial function in healthy young men. The study population was highly selective and, excluded women, individuals aged 45 years, and subjects with any conventional risk factors of coronary artery disease (CAD). The authors assumed that serum antibodies against the various infectious a...

Active inflammation and NF-kappaB activation contribute fundamentally to atherogenesis and plaque disruption. Accumulating evidence has implicated specific infectious agents including Chlamydia pneumoniae in the progression of atherogenesis. Chlamydial heat shock protein 60 (cHSP60) has been implicated in the induction of deleterious immune responses in human chlamydial infections and has been ...