Macrophages in Immunopathology of Atherosclerosis: A Target for Diagnostics and Therapy

Abstract

Immunopathology plays important roles in the development of different life-threatening diseases, such as atherosclerosis and its consequences (acute myocardial infarction and stroke), cancer, chronic inflammatory diseases. Effective modulation of the immune system may significantly increase the efficacy of prevention and therapy efforts. Currently there are no marketed drugs capable of normalizing immune system function in an intrinsic and comprehensive way. Here, we describe a test system designed for complex analysis of monocyte activity in individuals to diagnose immunopathology and monitor treatment efficacy. This cell-based test system may also be useful for screening compounds with an immune-correcting effects. Both diagnostic and screening systems are based on primary culture of human monocytes and/or monocyte-derived macrophages. This is the first step in creating a method for assessment of macrophage activity, which is required for further development of immune-correcting drugs. The existing preliminary data provide the basis for realization of this idea.

RETRACTED: Macrophage phenotypic plasticity in atherosclerosis: The associated features and the peculiarities of the expression of inflammatory genes

“…Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that both grossly normal-appearing sites and atherosclerotic lesions of the human aorta contained TNF-α, a highly relevant marker of M1 macrophage [43]. In the intima of grossly normalappearing sites of the aorta and in atherosclerotic lesions, cells expressing TNF-α were found predominantly located in deeper portions of the intima.…”

Perspectives for Monocyte/Macrophage-Based Diagnostics of Chronic Inflammation

“…Atherosclerosis is the most severe and life-threatening complication of diabetes which is characterized by the inflammation of the vascular wall and formation of atherosclerotic plaques caused by the infiltration and accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages [5,6]. Despite a long history of investigation of the inflammatory nature of atherosclerosis, the early events leading to the activation of endothelial cells and circulating monocytes are still questionable, and biomarkers for the initial stages of atherosclerosis are needed [5].…”

Ratio of S-adenosylmethionine to S-adenosylhomocysteine as a sensitive indicator of atherosclerosis

“…AS is similar to cancer in certain aspects and has been referred to as a cancer-like disease (37,38); AS and cancer are chronic and progressive, and the inducing factors are very similar. In addition, the pathological mechanisms are similar, involving genetic and environmental elements.…”