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Updated: Aug 19, 2025
Quantification of Monocyte Transmigration and Foam Cell Formation from Individuals with Chronic Inflammatory Conditions
Published on: October 17, 2017
Macrophage-, Dendritic-, Smooth Muscle-, Endothelium-, and Stem Cells-Derived Foam Cells in Atherosclerosis
Malgorzata Kloc1,2,3, Jacek Z Kubiak4,5, Rafik M Ghobrial1,2
1Transplant Immunology, The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Insights
Foam cells, key in atherosclerosis plaque, originate from more than just macrophages. Understanding diverse foam cell origins offers new therapeutic targets for preventing this inflammatory artery disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by plaque buildup in arteries.
- Plaque accumulation narrows blood vessels, impeding flow and potentially causing clots.
- Foam cells are central to atherosclerotic plaques, contributing to their development and rupture.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse cellular origins of foam cells in atherosclerosis.
- To describe the mechanisms of foam cell formation and function.
- To highlight novel therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis prevention.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on foam cell biology.
- Analysis of cellular pathways involved in foam cell differentiation.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on foam cell roles in plaque progression.
Main Results:
- Macrophages are not the sole precursors of foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques.
- Multiple cell types contribute to foam cell formation.
- Foam cell accumulation is a dynamic process influenced by various mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- The understanding of foam cell heterogeneity expands our view of atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
- Targeting diverse foam cell origins presents promising therapeutic strategies.
- Further research into non-macrophage foam cells is crucial for atherosclerosis treatment.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease depending on the buildup, called plaque, of lipoproteins, cholesterol, extracellular matrix elements, and various types of immune and non-immune cells on the artery walls. Plaque development and growth lead to the narrowing of the blood vessel lumen, blocking blood flow, and eventually may lead to plaque burst and a blood clot. The prominent cellular components of atherosclerotic plaque are the foam cells, which, by trying to remove lipoprotein and cholesterol surplus, also participate in plaque development and rupture. Although the common knowledge is that the foam cells derive from macrophages, studies of the last decade clearly showed that macrophages are not the only cells able to form foam cells in atherosclerotic plaque. These findings give a new perspective on atherosclerotic plaque formation and composition and define new targets for anti-foam cell therapies for atherosclerosis prevention. This review gives a concise description of foam cells of different pedigrees and describes the main mechanisms participating in their formation and function.
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