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Quantification of Monocyte Chemotactic Activity In Vivo and Characterization of Blood Monocyte Derived Macrophages
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Chemokines and their receptors in Atherosclerosis

Emiel P C van der Vorst1, Yvonne Döring2, Christian Weber3,4,5

  • 1Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Pettenkoferstr 9, 80336, Munich, Germany. Emiel.Van_der_Vorst@med.uni-muenchen.de.

Journal of Molecular Medicine (Berlin, Germany)
|July 16, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Chemokines are key players in atherosclerosis development. While macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) appears pro-atherogenic, CXCL12 may offer protection, though research is ongoing.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a complex, chronic inflammatory arterial disease underlying most cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
  • Chemokines, small cytokines, are increasingly recognized for their critical roles in atherogenesis.
  • Understanding chemokine involvement is vital for CVD research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of chemokines in atherosclerotic lesion development.
  • To focus on the roles of CXCL12 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in atherogenesis.
  • To discuss the potential of chemokine-based therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current scientific literature on chemokines and atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of the involvement of specific chemokines (CXCL12, MIF) in leukocyte recruitment.
  • Synthesis of data on the pro-inflammatory or protective functions of these chemokines.

Main Results:

  • Chemokines are integral to multiple phases of atherosclerotic plaque formation.
  • Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) exhibits pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic properties.
  • CXCL12 demonstrates a potentially protective role, though this requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Chemokines significantly influence atherogenesis, impacting leukocyte behavior.
  • MIF and CXCL12 present distinct roles in the disease process.
  • Further research into chemokine functions may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis.

Keywords:
AtherosclerosisCXCL12Cardiovascular diseaseChemokinesMacrophage migration inhibitory factor

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