Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Implantation of a Carotid Cuff for Triggering Shear-stress Induced Atherosclerosis in Mice
07:51

Implantation of a Carotid Cuff for Triggering Shear-stress Induced Atherosclerosis in Mice

Published on: January 13, 2012

21.3K

Low shear stress induces M1 macrophage polarization in murine thin-cap atherosclerotic plaques

Anusha N Seneviratne1, Jennifer E Cole2, Michael E Goddard2

  • 1Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, United Kingdom.

Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology
|November 3, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Low shear stress promotes pro-inflammatory macrophage (M1) programming in atherosclerosis. This study reveals shear stress as a key factor influencing macrophage polarization and plaque development in ApoE(-/-) mice.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Macrophages are crucial in atherosclerotic plaques, exhibiting diverse polarization states (M1, M2, Mox, Mhem).
  • Previous work linked low (LSS) and oscillatory (OSS) shear stress to distinct plaque morphologies in ApoE(-/-) mice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between varying shear stress conditions and macrophage polarization within atherosclerotic plaques.
  • To determine how shear stress influences plaque morphology in a mouse model of atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • A shear stress-altering cast was applied to the carotid arteries of high-fat-fed ApoE(-/-) mice.
  • Macrophage polarization markers (iNOS, IRF5 for M1; Arginase-1, HO-1, CD163 for M2/Mox/Mhem) were analyzed in developing atherosclerotic lesions.

Main Results:

  • Low shear stress (LSS) lesions exhibited higher expression of M1 markers (iNOS, IRF5) compared to oscillatory shear stress (OSS) lesions.
  • OSS lesions showed elevated expression of M2/Mox/Mhem markers (Arginase-1, HO-1, CD163).

Conclusions:

  • Shear stress is a significant determinant of macrophage polarization in atherosclerosis.
  • Low shear stress conditions favor pro-inflammatory (M1) macrophage programming, contributing to specific plaque characteristics.
Keywords:
AtherosclerosisMacrophageShear stress

More Related Videos

On-Chip Endothelial Inflammatory Phenotyping12:43

On-Chip Endothelial Inflammatory Phenotyping

Published on: July 21, 2012

11.5K
Isolation, Characterization, and Purification of Macrophages from Tissues Affected by Obesity-related Inflammation07:46

Isolation, Characterization, and Purification of Macrophages from Tissues Affected by Obesity-related Inflammation

Published on: April 3, 2017

26.1K

Related Concept Videos

Inflammation01:38

Inflammation

Overview
64.3K
Atherosclerosis I: Introduction01:30

Atherosclerosis I: Introduction

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
2.0K