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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Isolation, Characterization, and Purification of Macrophages from Tissues Affected by Obesity-related Inflammation
Published on: April 3, 2017
Lower macrophage recruitment and atherosclerosis resistance in FVB mice
Olga Stein1, Yedida Dabach, Mazal Ben-Naim
1Department of Experimental Medicine and Cancer Research, Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to compare some aspects of cholesterol accretion and cholesterol efflux in cellular components of the aortic wall derived from mice resistant or susceptible to atherosclerosis, FVB or C57BL, respectively. Cholesterol efflux, from cholesterol loaded smooth muscle cells or elicited macrophages, to apo A-I or HDL was similar in the two strains under basal conditions, and after cAMP or LXR upregulation. Recruitment of peritoneal macrophages, 3 days after thioglycollate injection, was 65% lower in FVB than in C57BL mice, commensurate with a 40% reduction in MCP-1 in peritoneal lavage. In additional three atherosclerosis resistant strains, NZB, A/J and 129(SvJ), macrophage recruitment was reduced to a similar extent despite high MCP-1 levels. Since impaired macrophage recruitment in CCR2(-/-) or MCP-1(-/-) C57BL mice was reported to reduce atherosclerosis, it seems plausible that in some mouse strains reduction in macrophage mobilization could contribute to atherosclerosis resistance.
Insights
Reduced macrophage recruitment in atherosclerosis-resistant mice may protect against the disease. This finding suggests impaired mobilization of macrophages could be a key factor in atherosclerosis resistance.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Cholesterol metabolism and macrophage function are critical in atherosclerosis development.
- Mouse models are essential for studying atherosclerosis due to genetic and physiological similarities to humans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare cholesterol handling and macrophage recruitment in atherosclerosis-resistant (FVB) versus susceptible (C57BL) mouse strains.
- To investigate the role of macrophage mobilization in atherosclerosis resistance across different mouse strains.
Main Methods:
- Assessed cholesterol efflux from smooth muscle cells and macrophages to apoA-I or HDL.
- Measured peritoneal macrophage recruitment and MCP-1 levels following thioglycollate injection.
- Examined macrophage recruitment in additional atherosclerosis-resistant mouse strains (NZB, A/J, 129(SvJ)).
Main Results:
- Cholesterol efflux was similar between FVB and C57BL mice under various conditions.
- FVB mice exhibited significantly lower peritoneal macrophage recruitment and MCP-1 levels compared to C57BL mice.
- Reduced macrophage recruitment was observed in other atherosclerosis-resistant strains, irrespective of MCP-1 levels.
Conclusions:
- Macrophage recruitment, rather than cholesterol efflux, differs significantly between atherosclerosis-resistant and susceptible mouse strains.
- Impaired macrophage mobilization appears to be a contributing factor to atherosclerosis resistance in certain mouse strains.
- Findings suggest targeting macrophage recruitment could be a potential therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis.
