Exogenously Added Oxyphytosterols Do Not Affect Macrophage-Mediated Inflammatory Responses
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Using RNA-interference to Investigate the Innate Immune Response in Mouse Macrophages
Published on: November 3, 2014
Yvonne Oligschlaeger1, Tom Houben1, Mike L J Jeurissen1
1Department of Molecular Genetics, School of Nutrition & Translational Research Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Although phytosterols, plant-derived sterol-like components, are well known for their cholesterol-lowering properties, their atherogenic potential is still under debate. Although they are known to share structural similarities with cholesterol, it is unclear whether their oxidized forms (oxyphytosterols) have the capacity to mediate proinflammatory responses in macrophages. In the present study, bone marrow-derived macrophages were treated with oxidized low-density lipoproteins, oxyphytosterols (7keto-sito/campesterol [7keto-sit/camp] or 7-beta-hydroxy-sito/campesterol [7βOH-sit/camp]), nonoxidized phytosterol (β-sitosterol), or carrier-control (cyclodextrin) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Inflammatory cytokine release, activity, and the corresponding mRNA expression levels were analyzed. 7βOH-sit/camp, rather than 7keto-sit/camp, induced a modest proinflammatory response in wild-type cells derived from C57Bl/6 mice. The observed mild inflammatory effects are independent of the low-density lipoprotein receptor and Cluster of differentiation 36/Scavenger receptor-a. These data suggest that exogenously added oxyphytosterols do not affect macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses, at least in vitro.
Related Concept Videos
Inflammatory Response
Inflammation can be triggered by various stimuli, such as impact, abrasion, chemical irritation, infections, and extreme hot or cold temperatures. These can damage cells and connective tissue fibers,...
Inflammatory Response II: Inflammatory Exudate and Tissue Repair
The typical wound exudate is odorless, transparent, straw-colored, thin, and watery. Exudate, however, can differ depending on the state of wound healing. Likewise, the...
Inflammatory Response I: Vascular and Cellular
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Role of Affect in Interpersonal Attraction
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...

