title: [Atherosclerotic plaque formation].
abstract: Atherosclerotic plaque formation involves 5 steps: 1. low density lipoprotein (LDL) accumulation in the intima; 2. oxidation of LDL; 3. recruitment of monocytes-macrophages; 4. uptake of oxidized LDL by macrophage scavenger receptors, and transformation of macrophages into foam cells; 5. formation of a fibrous cap containing smooth muscle cells, which permits stabilization of the plaque. At each step of this process, inflammatory cytokines are implicated making the atherosclerotic process a chronic inflammatory disease.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U141, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tedgui
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mallat
mesh_terms: D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL