Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access

Helen Williams

Publications

• Review Article
  The Bidirectional Relationship between Cholesterol and Macrophage Polarization
  Author(s): Heather J Medbury, Helen Williams, Stephen Li and John P Fletcher Heather J Medbury, Helen Williams, Stephen Li and John P Fletcher
  
  Whether an atherosclerotic plaque progresses and eventually ruptures is heavily influenced by the function of macrophages. However, it is clear that a spectrum of macrophage phenotypes is present in the plaque, with some exhibiting stabilizing functions. While macrophages expressing characteristic M1 and M2 markers are evident, the disparate microenvironments of the plaque, such as regions of hemorrhage, promote other distinct macrophage phenotypes. Crucial to plaque development and progression is macrophage exposure to accumulated modified low density lipoproteins that leads to foam cell formation and development of the necrotic core. There are a range of biologically active compounds in low density lipoprotein (LDL) each having some bearing on which macrophage surface receptors are engaged and what cellular response ensues. Understanding the bidirectional interplay between ‘ch.. View More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2155-9899.1000303

  Abstract PDF

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