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Review
Nature Medicine 8, 1235 - 1242 (2002)
doi:10.1038/nm1102-1235
The macrophage foam cell as a target for therapeutic intervention
Andrew C. Li1 & Christopher K. Glass1
Abstract
Specialized functions of macrophages have evolved to protect the body from infection. However, the same mechanisms that enable phagocytosis of pathogens and activation of leukocytes also permit the uptake of lipoproteins and release of reactive oxygen species and immune mediators that collectively contribute to atherosclerosis. New approaches to inhibit lipid accumulation in macrophage foam cells and reduce inflammatory responses may be of therapeutic value in preventing coronary artery disease.
Macrophages are essential cellular components of the body's host defense system, having critical functions in both native and acquired immunity. As participants in innate immunity, macrophages protect the host during the early phase of an infection.
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and PPAR-
activators induce cholesterol removal from human macrophage foam cells through stimulation of the ABCA1 pathway