What can clog the arteries

Study showed: What can clog the arteries

25/08/2014

Tübingen biochemists discover important role of smooth muscle cells for plaque formation in arteriosclerosis - and thus a new starting point for the treatment of heart disease.

In order to better understand the complex processes that lead to atherosclerotic plaques, scientists from the University of Tübingen have examined the role of smooth muscle cells from the vessel wall in more detail. Now a new strategy for therapy is emerging.

In arteriosclerosis, the dangerous plaques are formed not only by the deposition of lipoproteins, but also by various cells whose origin from the blood or surrounding tissues was previously unclear. These include macrophages in the immune system as „phagocytes“ responsible for the elimination of pathogens. Previously, it was thought that the plaque macrophages are derived from progenitor cells that are transported by the bloodstream, the monocytes.

The Tübingen research team followed genetically modified mice that develop atherosclerosis, specifically the fate of smooth muscle cells from the arterial wall of the arteries. Surprisingly, smooth muscle cells in arteriosclerotic blood vessels have become macrophages on a large scale. Scientists believe that macrophages in certain arterioclerotic plaques are mostly from this source and not just monocytes in the blood. The study can be found here. (Pm)