title: Atherosclerotic plaque development.
abstract: Atherosclerosis is now recognized as an inflammatory/immunomodulatory reaction to the presence of oxidized low-density lipoproteins within the arterial wall, often times in the setting of such risk factors as family history, hypercholesterolemia, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus and smoking. The progression to high-risk lesions such as thin-fibrous cap atheromas results in an increased risk of sudden death, acute myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. The interplay of macrophages, T lymphocytes and mast cells play a central role in both the development but more importantly in the progression of coronary and carotid artery disease to high-risk phenotypes.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Division, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, 9 Gates, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Quang T
authors.initials: QT
authors.lastname: Bui
authors.forename: Maxwell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prempeh
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Wilensky
mesh_terms: D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009928:Organ Specificity
chemical_list: D043203:1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase