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Atherosclerosis and transit of HDL through the lymphatic vasculature

Catherine Martel1, Gwendalyn J Randolph

  • 1Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA. cmartel@path.wustl.edu

Current Atherosclerosis Reports
|August 6, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Cholesterol removal from macrophages is key to halting atherosclerosis. Lymphatic vessels are crucial for clearing cholesterol from tissues, and impaired lymphatic function may drive plaque progression.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Atherosclerosis Research
  • Lymphatic Physiology

Background:

  • Macrophages and cholesterol are central to atherosclerotic plaque development.
  • Cholesterol efflux from macrophage foam cells is understood to inhibit disease progression.
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) plays a role in transporting cholesterol away from plaques.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical role of lymphatic vasculature in cholesterol removal from tissues.
  • To explore the connection between lymphatic function and atherosclerosis progression.
  • To discuss how impaired cholesterol removal by lymphatics may contribute to arterial plaque buildup.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent evidence on lymphatic cholesterol transport.
  • Analysis of the relationship between tissue cholesterol efflux and lymphatic function.
  • Discussion of potential mechanisms linking lymphatic impairment to atherosclerosis.

Main Results:

  • Recent evidence implicates lymphatic vasculature in removing cholesterol from tissues, including the artery wall.
  • Cholesterol is likely transported via HDL within the lymphatic system.
  • Sluggish lymphatic removal of cholesterol may be a factor in atherosclerosis progression.

Conclusions:

  • The lymphatic system is essential for clearing cholesterol from the artery wall.
  • Dysfunctional lymphatic vasculature could contribute to the development and progression of atherosclerosis.
  • Targeting lymphatic cholesterol removal may offer new therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular disease.

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