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Potential Mechanisms and Effects of Efferocytosis in Atherosclerosis

Lili Wang1,2,3, Hongxia Li1,2,3, Yuhan Tang1,2,3

  • 1Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.

Frontiers in Endocrinology
|February 18, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Impaired efferocytosis, the process of clearing dead cells, contributes to atherosclerosis (AS) plaque progression. Targeting efferocytosis offers a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent cardiovascular disease development.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis (AS) is a primary cause of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.
  • Accumulation of apoptotic and necrotic cells drives AS plaque enlargement, necrosis, and rupture.
  • Impaired efferocytosis, the clearance of apoptotic cells (ACs), is a key factor in AS progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mechanisms of efferocytosis.
  • To elucidate the role of efferocytosis in AS pathogenesis.
  • To highlight novel therapeutic strategies targeting efferocytosis for AS treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent findings on efferocytosis mechanisms and regulation.
  • Analysis of the role of efferocytosis dysfunction in AS.
  • Identification of therapeutic targets within the efferocytosis pathway.

Main Results:

  • Effete cell clearance via efferocytosis is crucial for preventing AS.
  • Dysfunctional efferocytosis in AS leads to compromised clearance of apoptotic cells.
  • Targeting efferocytosis presents a promising therapeutic avenue for AS.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding efferocytosis mechanisms is vital for AS research.
  • Restoring efferocytosis function could mitigate AS plaque progression.
  • Targeting efferocytosis represents a novel strategy for managing cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords:
apoptosisatherosclerosisefferocytosismacrophagemechanism

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