Leukemia inhibitory factor receptor inhibition by EC359 reduces atherosclerotic stenosis grade in Ldlr mice.

Cytokines are involved in all stages of atherosclerosis, generally contributing to disease progression. Previously, members of the Interleukin (IL)-6 cytokine family, such as IL-6, oncostatin M, and cardiotrophin-1, have been extensively studied in atherosclerosis. However, the role of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), member of the IL-6 family, and its receptor (LIFR), remains to be further elucidated.

Treatment with APAC, a dual antiplatelet anticoagulant heparin proteoglycan mimetic, limits early collar-induced carotid atherosclerotic plaque development in Apoe mice.

Background And Aims: Mast cell-derived heparin proteoglycans (HEP-PG) can be mimicked by bioconjugates carrying antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory properties. The dual antiplatelet and anticoagulant (APAC) construct administered, either locally or intravenously (i.v.

Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase inhibition by Acalabrutinib does not affect early or advanced atherosclerotic plaque size and morphology in Ldlr mice.

Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of lipids and immune cells, including mast cells and B cells, in the arterial wall. Mast cells contribute to atherosclerotic plaque growth and destabilization upon active degranulation. The FcεRI-IgE pathway is the most prominent mast cell activation route.

High LDL levels lessen bone destruction during antigen-induced arthritis by inhibiting osteoclast formation and function.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by severe joint inflammation and bone destruction as the result of increased numbers and activity of osteoclasts. RA is often associated with metabolic syndrome, whereby elevated levels of LDL are oxidized into oxLDL, which might affect osteoclastogenesis. In this study, we induced antigen-induced arthritis (AIA) in Apoe mice, which spontaneously develop high LDL levels, to investigate the effects of high LDL/oxLDL levels on osteoclast differentiation and bone destruction.

Acute and chronic psychological stress as risk factors for cardiovascular disease: Insights gained from epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death worldwide and identification and therapeutic modulation of all its risk factors is necessary to ensure a lower burden on the patient and on society. The physiological response to acute and chronic stress exposure has long been recognized as a potent modulator of immune, endocrine and metabolic pathways, however its direct implications for cardiovascular disease development, progression and as a therapeutic target are not completely understood. More and more attention is given to the bidirectional interaction between psychological and physical health in relation to cardiovascular disease.

Mast cells mediate neutrophil recruitment during atherosclerotic plaque progression.

Aims: Activated mast cells have been identified in the intima and perivascular tissue of human atherosclerotic plaques. As mast cells have been described to release a number of chemokines that mediate leukocyte fluxes, we propose that activated mast cells may play a pivotal role in leukocyte recruitment during atherosclerotic plaque progression.

Methods And Results: Systemic IgE-mediated mast cell activation in apoE(-/-)μMT mice resulted in an increase in atherosclerotic lesion size as compared to control mice, and interestingly, the number of neutrophils was highly increased in these lesions.

The impact of mast cells on cardiovascular diseases.

Mast cells comprise an innate immune cell population, which accumulates in tissues proximal to the outside environment and, upon activation, augments the progression of immunological reactions through the release and diffusion of either pre-formed or newly generated mediators. The released products of mast cells include histamine, proteases, as well as a variety of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, which act on the surrounding microenvironment thereby shaping the immune responses triggered in various diseased states. Mast cells have also been detected in the arterial wall and are implicated in the onset and progression of numerous cardiovascular diseases.

Mast cells in rheumatic disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease with a complex disease pathogenesis leading to inflammation and destruction of synovial tissue in the joint. Several molecules lead to activation of immune pathways, including autoantibodies, Toll-Like Receptor ligands and cytokines. These pathways can cooperate to create the pro-inflammatory environment that results in tissue destruction.

CXCR4 blockade induces atherosclerosis by affecting neutrophil function.

Aims: The SDF-1α/CXCR4 dyad was previously shown by us and others to be instrumental in intimal hyperplasia as well as early stage atherosclerosis. We here sought to investigate its impact on clinically relevant stages of atherosclerosis in mouse and man.

Methods And Results: Immunohistochemical analysis of CXCR4 expression in human atherosclerotic lesions revealed a progressive accumulation of CXCR4(+) cells during plaque progression.