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Therapeutic strategies to deplete macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques

Inge De Meyer1, Wim Martinet, Guido R Y De Meyer

  • 1Division of Physiopharmacology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium. guido.demeyer@ua.ac.be

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|February 8, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Macrophages are key in atherosclerosis development and plaque instability. Strategies to deplete these cells, by reducing inflammation or inducing cell death, may stabilize plaques.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Immunology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Macrophages play a central role throughout all stages of atherosclerosis.
  • Monocyte recruitment continuously fuels this chronic inflammatory cardiovascular disease.
  • Macrophage accumulation contributes significantly to atherosclerotic plaque development, progression, and destabilization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review strategies for depleting macrophages from atherosclerotic plaques.
  • To discuss interventions aimed at promoting atherosclerotic plaque stabilization by targeting macrophages.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current therapeutic strategies targeting macrophage involvement in atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of methods to reduce inflammatory stimuli, modulate adhesion molecules, and induce macrophage death within plaques.

Main Results:

  • Several intervention strategies exist to modulate macrophage populations in atherosclerosis.
  • Targeting lipid metabolism, adhesion molecules, chemokines, and inducing macrophage apoptosis are discussed.

Conclusions:

  • Depleting macrophages from atherosclerotic plaques is a promising therapeutic approach.
  • Combined strategies involving anti-inflammatory drugs and macrophage-targeted therapies may enhance plaque stabilization.

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