title: Design and utilization of macrophage and vascular smooth muscle cell co-culture systems in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease investigation.
abstract: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has been acknowledged as a chronic inflammatory condition. Monocytes and macrophages lead the inflammatory pathology of atherosclerosis whereas changes in atheromatous plaque thickness and matrix composition are attributed to vascular smooth muscle cells. Because these cell types are key players in atherosclerosis progression, it is crucial to utilize a reliable system to investigate their interaction. In vitro co-culture systems are useful platforms to study specific molecular mechanisms between cells. This review aims to summarize the various co-culture models that have been developed to investigate vascular smooth muscle cell and monocyte/macrophage interactions, focusing on the monocyte/macrophage effects on vascular smooth muscle cell function.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Services, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Zuniga
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Sharla L Powell
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: White
authors.affiliation: Surgical Services, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA Division of Vascular Surgery, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA Cardiovascular Institute, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA weizhou@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology*; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats
keywords: Atherosclerosis; co-culture; inflammation; macrophage; smooth muscle cell