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Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Quantification of Monocyte Transmigration and Foam Cell Formation from Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
Published on: October 17, 2017
Inflammation-induced foam cell formation in chronic inflammatory disease
Thomas A Angelovich1,2, Anna C Hearps1,3, Anthony Jaworowski1,3,4
1Centre for Biomedical Research, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease and is both a metabolic and inflammatory disease. Two models describe early events initiating atherosclerotic plaque formation, whereby foam cells form in response to hyperlipidaemia or inflammation-associated stimuli. Although these models are inextricably linked and not mutually exclusive, identifying the unique contribution of each in different disease settings remains an important question. Circulating monocytes are key mediators of atherogenesis in both models as precursors to lipid-laden foam cells formed in response to either excess lipid deposition in arteries, signalling via pattern-associated molecular patterns or a combination of the two. In this review, we assess the role of monocytes in each model and discuss how key steps in atherogenesis may be targeted to enhance clinical outcomes in patients with chronic inflammatory disease.
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