STAT1 as a central mediator of IFNγ and TLR4 signal integration in vascular dysfunction.
Atherosclerosis is characterized by early endothelial dysfunction and altered vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contractility. The forming atheroma is a site of excessive production of cytokines and inflammatory ligands by various cell types that mediate inflammation and immune responses. Key factors contributing to early stages of plaque development are IFNγ and TLR4. This review provides insight in the differential STAT1-dependent signal integration between IFNγ and TLR4 signals in vascular cells and atheroma interacting immune cells. This results in increased leukocyte attraction and adhesion and VSMC proliferation and migration, which are important characteristics of EC dysfunction and early triggers of atherosclerosis.
Department of Human Molecular Genetics; Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology; Faculty of Biology; Adam Mickiewicz University; Poznan, Poland.
Krzysztof
K
Sikorski
Stefan
S
Chmielewski
Adam
A
Olejnik
Joanna Z
JZ
Wesoly
Uwe
U
Heemann
Marcus
M
Baumann
Hans
H
Bluyssen
IFN-gamma; IRFs; STAT1; Toll-like receptors; atherosclerosis; signal integration