Monocyte-endothelial cell interactions in the development of atherosclerosis

The activation of endothelial cells at atherosclerotic lesion-prone sites in the arterial tree results in the up-regulation of cell adhesion molecules and chemokines, which mediate the recruitment of circulating monocytes. Accumulation of monocytes and monocyte-derived phagocytes in the wall of large arteries leads to chronic inflammation and the development and progression of atherosclerosis. This review discusses the nature of these molecules and the mechanisms involved in the early steps of monocyte recruitment into atherosclerotic lesion sites within the vessel wall.