title: The monocyte/macrophage as a therapeutic target in atherosclerosis.
abstract: It is now clear that the monocyte/macrophage has a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis. This cell appears to be involved in all stages of atherosclerotic plaque development and is increasingly seen as a candidate for therapeutic intervention and as a potential biomarker of disease progression and response to therapy. The main mechanisms related to the activity of the monocyte/macrophage that have been targeted for therapy are those that facilitate recruitment, cholesterol metabolism, inflammatory activity and oxidative stress. There is also increasing evidence that there is heterogeneity within the monocyte/macrophage population, which may have important implications for plaque development and regression. A better insight into how specific phenotypes may influence plaque progression should facilitate the development of novel methods of imaging and more refined treatments.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department of Surgery, Cardiovascular Division, King's College London, St Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Prakash
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: Bijan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Modarai
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Humphries
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mattock
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waltham
authors.forename: Kevin G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Burnand
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009000:Monocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D002784:Cholesterol