Mechanisms in intimal monocyte-macrophage recruitment. A special role for monocyte chemotactic protein-1

This article briefly addresses the role of the monocyte-macrophage in atherogenesis and the potential mechanisms participating in intimal blood monocyte recruitment. The obligatory components of the recruitment process, i.e., contact with the vascular endothelium, attachment, and migration into the subendothelial space, are addressed with reference to the influence of blood flow, plasma proteins (particularly low density lipoprotein), and inflammatory mediators and cytokines. The potentially important role of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in regulating monocyte recruitment in plaque pathogenesis is discussed.