HeartCenterOnline For Patients - Immune cells may contribute to plaque buildup in arteries

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Immune cells may contribute to plaque buildup in arteries

Jul 30 (HeartCenterOnline) - Fatty material within plaque can trap immune

cells, which in turn may be promoting further plaque buildup in arteries,

according to a new study.

Researchers from Mount Sinai School of Medicine found that immune cells

(called monocytes), drawn to an area of plaque buildup, are being " caught "

by the fatty component of plaque (called lipids). Results of the study were

announced by Mount Sinai Hospital July 26.

Monocytes attack and consume harmful substances in the body. Fatty compounds

that stick to artery walls can cause irritation, which causes monocytes to

respond. Normally, only a fraction of the monocytes remain in an area where

an infection or inflammation is occurring.

They convert into a more " mobile " type of cell that is carried away by the

lymphatic system. However, the lipids may prevent some of the monocytes from

converting, upsetting the balance and causing even more monocytes to become

trapped.

The researchers suggest that the factors that prevent monocytes to change

into mobile cells may lead to their buildup in plaque, and that this

disruption may promote the development of heart disease. The researchers

note this is the first study to show the importance of looking at both the

recruitment of monocytes and the entrapment of these cells in developing

treatments.