Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026

A Human Ex Vivo Atherosclerotic Plaque Model to Study Lesion Biology
Published on: May 6, 2014
Dendritic cells: a double-edge sword in atherosclerotic inflammation
Dimitry A Chistiakov, Igor A Sobenin, Alexander N Orekhov
1Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. y.bobryshev@unsw.edu.au.
Abstract:
Functional heterogeneity of dendritic cells (DCs) observed in atherosclerosis suggest for their complex and multifaced role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic disease. A delicate balance between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory mechanisms drives atherogenesis, and local microenvironment triggers the actual involvement of DCs in atherosclerosis-associated inflammation. Responding to microenvironment stimuli, DCs contribute to atherogenesis in both ways being involved in supporting proatherogenic vascular inflammation and by suppressing inflammatory responses via induction of self-tolerogenic properties and regulatory T cells (Tregs). The local microenvironment and extrinsic stimuli influence DC phenotype and hence could control the phenotypic switch toward inflammation or tolerance.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammation
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
Antigen Presenting Cells
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...

