Lynn Kawtharany, Laurence Bessueille, Hawraa Issa, Eva Hamade, Kazem Zibara, David Magne
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引用次数: 9
Abstract
Inflammatory cells and cytokines are known for long to worsen the development of atherosclerotic plaques in mice, and intense efforts are today devoted to develop anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies to slow down plaque development. Increasing data indicate that plaque inflammation is intimately associated with microcalcifications, which exert harmful effects eventually culminating with plaque rupture. In this review article, we will first introduce microcalcification location, detection, and effects in atherosclerotic plaques. Then, we will present the numerous data suggesting that inflammatory cells and molecules are responsible for the formation of microcalcifications and the articles showing that microcalcifications stimulate macrophages and smooth muscle cells to produce more pro-inflammatory cytokines. Finally, we will discuss the possibility that microcalcifications might stimulate smooth muscle cells to produce larger and more stable calcifications to stabilize plaques, to exit the vicious cycle associating inflammation and microcalcification in atherosclerotic plaques.
期刊介绍:
The ''Journal of Vascular Research'' publishes original articles and reviews of scientific excellence in vascular and microvascular biology, physiology and pathophysiology. The scope of the journal covers a broad spectrum of vascular and lymphatic research, including vascular structure, vascular function, haemodynamics, mechanics, cell signalling, intercellular communication, growth and differentiation. JVR''s ''Vascular Update'' series regularly presents state-of-the-art reviews on hot topics in vascular biology. Manuscript processing times are, consistent with stringent review, kept as short as possible due to electronic submission. All articles are published online first, ensuring rapid publication. The ''Journal of Vascular Research'' is the official journal of the European Society for Microcirculation. A biennial prize is awarded to the authors of the best paper published in the journal over the previous two years, thus encouraging young scientists working in the exciting field of vascular biology to publish their findings.