Macrophage Accumulation of Triglycerides Yields Insights Into Atherosclerosis

Macrophage Accumulation of Triglycerides Yields Insights Into Atherosclerosis
ScienceDaily (Oct. 1, 2012) — A research report appearing in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology helps explain how specific immune cells, called macrophages, accumulate triglycerides to support their function. Because a characteristic finding in atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fat in macrophages in the arterial wall, understanding how macrophages accumulate triglycerides may lead to new approaches toward slowing or stopping the development of atherosclerosis.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121001125235.htm


Best regards,
OS.

 

Here is the abstract (the sciencedaily article gets it wrong as the 'Journal Reference'):
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22753953#
'Mechanisms of triglyceride accumulation in activated macrophages.'
Note that it says, "Whereas activation with ligands of TLR2 (zymosan), TLR3 (poly I:C), or TLR4 (LPS) induced alterations in macrophage gene expression, leading to TG accumulation, treatment of macrophages with cytokines had minimal effects."

So that seems to say that having hyperimmune overactivation from signalling chemicals is not as bad as when the macrophage has actually got hold of a pathogen.

(TLR = Toll Like Receptor)