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Chemokines in atherosclerosis: proceedings resumed
Alma Zernecke1, Christian Weber
1From the Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (A.Z.); Department of Vascular Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University, Munich, Germany (A.Z.); DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany (A.Z., C.W.); and Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany (C.W.).
Insights
Chemokines are crucial in atherosclerosis, influencing immune cell movement and foam cell formation. Further research into their diverse roles is needed for potential therapeutic targeting in vascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Chemokines are key mediators in inflammatory processes, particularly in vascular diseases.
- Initially recognized for directing leukocytes to inflammation sites, their functions extend beyond cell recruitment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review novel and emerging roles of chemokines in atherosclerosis.
- To discuss their involvement in atherogenesis, atheroregression, and homeostatic functions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on recent findings in chemokine research related to atherosclerosis.
- Analysis of the functional diversity and mechanistic pathways of chemokines.
Main Results:
- Chemokines regulate monocyte and neutrophil recruitment during atherosclerosis development and regression.
- Chemokines also impact cell homeostasis and foam cell formation.
Conclusions:
- The multifaceted roles of chemokines in atherosclerosis necessitate detailed mechanistic and stage-specific investigations.
- Identifying specific chemokine pathways offers potential for therapeutic interventions in vascular inflammation.
Abstract:
Chemokines play important roles in atherosclerotic vascular disease. Expressed by not only cells of the vessel wall but also emigrated leukocytes, chemokines were initially discovered to direct leukocytes to sites of inflammation. However, chemokines can also exert multiple functions beyond cell recruitment. Here, we discuss novel and recently emerging aspects of chemokines and their involvement in atherosclerosis. While reviewing newly identified roles of chemokines and their receptors in monocyte and neutrophil recruitment during atherogenesis and atheroregression, we also revisit homeostatic functions of chemokines, including their roles in cell homeostasis and foam cell formation. The functional diversity of chemokines in atherosclerosis warrants a clear-cut mechanistic dissection and stage-specific assessment to better appreciate the full scope of their actions in vascular inflammation and to identify pathways that harbor the potential for a therapeutic targeting of chemokines in atherosclerosis.
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