Scripps VIVO scripps research logo

  • Index
  • Log in
  • Home
  • People
  • Organizations
  • Research
  • Events
Search form

Toll-like receptors in atherosclerosis

Academic Article
uri icon
  • Overview
  • Research
  • Identity
  • Additional Document Info
  • View All
scroll to property group menus

Overview

authors

  • Tobias, Peter
  • Curtiss, Linda

publication date

  • December 2007

journal

  • Biochemical Society Transactions  Journal

abstract

  • At one time, atherosclerosis was thought to be a simple lipid storage disease. However, it is now recognized as a chronic and progressive inflammation of the arterial wall. Gene deletion experiments in murine models of atherosclerosis that reduce the inflammatory process also reduce disease severity. Identifying the initiators and mediators of that inflammation can provide promising avenues for prevention or therapy. Two prominent risk factors, hyperlipidaemia and infectious disease, point to innate immune mechanisms as potential contributors to proatherogenic inflammation. The TLRs (Toll-like receptors), pro-inflammatory sensors of pathogens, are potential links between inflammation, infectious disease and atherosclerosis. A mechanism for hyperlipidaemic initiation of sterile inflammation can be postulated because oxidized lipoproteins or their component oxidized lipids have been identified as TLR ligands. Moreover, infectious agents are correlated with atherosclerosis risk. We have identified a role for TLR2 in atherosclerosis in mice deficient in low-density lipoprotein receptor. We observed that proatherogenic TLR2 responses to unknown endogenous or unknown endemic exogenous agonists are mediated by non-BMDC (bone-marrow-derived cells), which can include endothelial cells. In contrast, the proatherogenic TLR2 responses to the defined synthetic exogenous agonist Pam3 CSK4 are mediated at least in part by BMDC, which can include lymphocytes, monocytes/macrophages and dendritic cells. TLR2-mediated cell activation in response to endogenous and exogenous agents is proatherogenic in hyperlipidaemic mice.

subject areas

  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Toll-Like Receptor 2
scroll to property group menus

Research

keywords

  • Toll-like receptor (TLR)
  • agonist
  • atherosclerosis
  • cholesterol
  • endothelial cell
  • macrophage
scroll to property group menus

Identity

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0300-5127

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1042/bst03514s3

PubMed ID

  • 18031244
scroll to property group menus

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 1453

end page

  • 1455

volume

  • 35

©2021 The Scripps Research Institute | Terms of Use | Powered by VIVO

  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Support