title: Selective depletion of macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques via macrophage-specific initiation of cell death.
abstract: Macrophages play a central role in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization, leading to acute coronary syndromes and sudden death. Removal of macrophages from plaques via pharmacological therapy may therefore represent a promising approach to stabilize vulnerable, rupture-prone lesions. In this review, we summarize the current therapeutic means to induce macrophage cell death in atherosclerotic plaques without affecting smooth muscle cell viability, and their potential pitfalls.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology, University of Antwerp, B-2610 Wilrijk, Belgium. wim.martinet@ua.ac.be
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Martinet
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verheye
authors.forename: Guido R Y
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: De Meyer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D012421:Rupture
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D011500:Protein Synthesis Inhibitors