Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 2, 2025

A Human Ex Vivo Atherosclerotic Plaque Model to Study Lesion Biology
05:51

A Human Ex Vivo Atherosclerotic Plaque Model to Study Lesion Biology

Published on: May 6, 2014

13.4K

Glucocorticoid induced TNF receptor family-related protein (GITR) - A novel driver of atherosclerosis

Laura A Bosmans1, Annelie Shami2, Dorothee Atzler3

  • 1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences (ACS), Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Vascular Pharmacology
|June 8, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor (GITR) is a key driver of atherosclerosis. Targeting GITR may reduce cardiovascular disease risk in patients with persistent inflammation despite lipid-lowering therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Inflammation Biology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with residual cardiovascular risk despite lipid-lowering treatments.
  • Immune checkpoint proteins like CD86, CD40L, and CD40 are implicated in atherosclerosis development.
  • Elevated soluble glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor family-related protein (GITR) levels are observed in cardiovascular patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of GITR in cardiovascular disease and explore its potential as a therapeutic target.
  • To discuss GITR's impact on immune cells, signaling pathways, and atherosclerotic plaque development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on GITR's involvement in atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of GITR expression in human carotid endarterectomy plaques.
  • Examination of GITR's effect on atherosclerotic plaque development in murine models.

Main Results:

  • GITR expression is higher in symptomatic human carotid plaques and correlates with plaque vulnerability.
  • Depletion of GITR reduces atherosclerotic plaque development in mice.
  • GITR-deficient monocytes and macrophages show reduced inflammatory potential and migration.

Conclusions:

  • GITR plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
  • GITR represents a promising novel drug target for reducing residual cardiovascular risk in atherosclerosis.
Keywords:
AtherosclerosisCVDCostimulatory moleculeGITRImmune checkpoint

More Related Videos

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis06:35

An Immunohistopathologic Study to Profile the Folate Receptor Beta Macrophage and Vascular Immune Microenvironment in Giant Cell Arteritis

Published on: February 8, 2019

7.4K
An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice07:37

An Adoptive Transfer Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Mice

Published on: June 6, 2025

599

Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
272
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
1.6K
TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
8.2K
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...
284
Inflammation01:38

Inflammation

Overview
56.9K
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
9.8K