Publication
Title
Necrotic cell death in atherosclerosis
Author
Abstract
Necrosis is a type of cell death characterized by a gain in cell volume, swelling of organelles, rupture of the plasma membrane and subsequent loss of intracellular contents. For a long time, the process has been considered as a merely accidental and uncontrolled form of cell death, but accumulating evidence suggests that it can also occur in a regulated fashion. Morphological studies using transmission electron microscopy indicate that the vast majority of dying cells in advanced human atherosclerotic plaques undergo necrosis. Various stimuli in the plaque including high levels of oxidative stress, depletion of cellular ATP, impaired clearance of apoptotic cells and increased intracellular calcium may cause necrotic death. Although the role of necrosis in atherosclerosis remains ill-defined, a growing body of evidence suggests that necrotic death stimulates atherogenesis through induction of inflammation and enlargement of the necrotic core. In addition, necrosis contributes to plaque instability by releasing tissue factor, matrix degrading proteases and pro-angiogenic compounds. Therapeutic agents against necrosis are limited, but efforts have recently been made to inhibit the necrotic pathway or its pro-inflammatory effects.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Basic research in cardiology / German Cardiac Society. - Heidelberg, 1973, currens
Publication
Heidelberg : Springer , 2011
ISSN
0300-8428 [print]
1435-1803 [online]
DOI
10.1007/S00395-011-0192-X
Volume/pages
106 :5 (2011) , p. 749-760
ISI
000293533000005
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Selective clearance of macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques via drug-induced cell death as a strategy for plaque stabilisation.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 16.06.2011
Last edited 15.11.2022
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