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Lymphatic Vessels: A Potential Approach to the Treatment of Atherosclerosis?
Zhi Zheng1, Kun Ren1, Xiaoshan Peng1
1Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, University of South China, Hengyang City, China.
Insights
Lymphatic vessels play a crucial role in atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease. Research shows their involvement in arterial inflammation, cholesterol transport, and influencing immune cells, offering new avenues for atherosclerosis treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition.
- The role of lymphatic vessels in atherosclerosis has been historically overlooked.
- Lymphatic vessels are increasingly recognized for their involvement in arterial inflammation and cholesterol transport.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of the relationship between lymphatic vessels and atherosclerosis.
- To highlight the impact of immune cells on local lymphangiogenesis (IAL) in atherosclerosis.
- To discuss the role of lymphatic vessels in reverse cholesterol transport and potential therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of basic and clinical studies on atherosclerosis and lymphatic vessels.
- Analysis of the interplay between immune cells, lymphangiogenesis, and plaque development.
- Examination of lymphatic system's role in cholesterol homeostasis within atherosclerotic lesions.
Main Results:
- Lymphatic vessels are present around atherosclerotic sites and influence arterial inflammation.
- Immune cells significantly impact plaque formation and affect local lymphangiogenesis (IAL).
- Promoted IAL appears to mitigate atherosclerosis progression, and lymphatic vessels contribute to reverse cholesterol transport.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the lymphatic system's role in atherosclerosis is critical for developing novel treatments.
- Targeting lymphatic vessel function and immune cell interactions may offer therapeutic benefits.
- Further research into lymphatic involvement in cholesterol transport and inflammation holds significant clinical potential.
Abstract:
Many basic and clinical studies have demonstrated that atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Although there are many factors affecting atherosclerosis, the role of lymphatic vessels in this disease has been neglected. Traditionally, lymphatic vessels have been considered to be passages for transporting interstitial fluid to the blood circulation. However, as early as the last century, researchers found that there are numerous lymphatic vessels surrounding sites of atherosclerosis; however, the relationship between lymphatic vessels and atherosclerosis is not clear. With further research, lymphatic vessels were determined to be involved in the induction and resolution of arterial inflammation and also to play a positive role in plaque cholesterol transport. There are abundant immune cells around atherosclerosis, and these immune cells not only have a significant impact on plaque formation but also affect local lymphangiogenesis (IAL). This promotion of IAL seems to relieve the progression of atherosclerosis. Therefore, research into the relationship between lymphatic vessels and atherosclerosis is of great importance for improving atherosclerosis treatment. This review highlights what is known about the relationship between lymphatic vessels and atherosclerosis, including the effect of immune cells on IAL, and reverse cholesterol transport. In addition, we present some of our views on the improvement of atherosclerosis treatment, which have significant clinical value in research.
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