Foam cells

Foam cells are a type of macrophage that localize to fatty deposits on blood vessel walls, where they ingest low-density lipoproteins and become laden with lipids, giving them a foamy appearance. These cells secrete various substances involved in plaque growth and their death promotes inflammation, thereby contributing to cardiovascular disease.

Latest Research and Reviews

Research
04 September 2019 | Open Access

Na⁺-H⁺ exchanger 1 determines atherosclerotic lesion acidification and promotes atherogenesis

Na+-H+ exchanger 1 (Nhe1) regulates extracellular pH by extruding protons in exchange for extracellular Na+ . Here, Liu et al. show that Nhe1 promotes the development and acidification of atherosclerotic lesions and that pH-sensitive probes can be used to monitor plaque growth and acidification.
- Cong-Lin Liu
- , Xian Zhang
- & Guo-Ping Shi
Nature Communications 10, 3978
Research
25 January 2019 | Open Access

CKIP-1 limits foam cell formation and inhibits atherosclerosis by promoting degradation of Oct-1 by REGγ

In atherosclerotic plaques, transformation of macrophages into foam cells is a key step in initiating the inflammatory response. Here Fan et al. show that casein kinase 2-interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) limits foam cell formation and atherosclerosis by preventing expression of the scavenger receptor LOX-1 through REGγ-mediated degradation of Oct-1.
- Jiao Fan
- , Lifeng Liu
- & Lingqiang Zhang
Nature Communications 10, 425
Research
04 December 2017 | Open Access

Monocyte gene expression in childhood obesity is associated with obesity and complexity of atherosclerosis in adults
- G. C. Keustermans
- , D. Kofink
- & H. S. Schipper
Scientific Reports 7, 16826
Research
13 January 2017 | Open Access

Macrophagic CD146 promotes foam cell formation and retention during atherosclerosis
- Yongting Luo
- , Hongxia Duan
- & Xiyun Yan
Cell Research 27, 352-372
Research
21 January 2016 | Open Access

Pdcd4 deficiency enhances macrophage lipoautophagy and attenuates foam cell formation and atherosclerosis in mice
- L Wang
- , Y Jiang
- & L Zhang
Cell Death & Disease 7, e2055
Research
19 November 2015 | Open Access

Platelet-derived CXCL12 regulates monocyte function, survival, differentiation into macrophages and foam cells through differential involvement of CXCR4–CXCR7
- M Chatterjee
- , S N I von Ungern-Sternberg
- & M Gawaz
Cell Death & Disease 6, e1989

All Research & Reviews

News and Comment

Research Highlights | 10 October 2016

Trafficking patterns of mononuclear phagocytes

Gwendalyn Randolph describes a 1981 paper by Ross Gerrity that stimulated her career focus on the trafficking of mononuclear phagocytes.
- Gwendalyn J. Randolph
Nature Reviews Immunology 16, 660
Research Highlights | 16 November 2012

Macrophage regulation
- Laurie A. Dempsey
Nature Immunology 13, 1143
Research Highlights | 19 October 2012

Lipid metabolism linked to anti-inflammatory functions
- Maria Papatriantafyllou
Nature Reviews Immunology 12, 747
Research Highlights | 03 October 2012

Fatty plaque link to inflammation

Nature 490, 9
Research Highlights | 10 February 2010

Cardiovascular biology: Fatty foam cells

Nature 463, 713

All News & Comment

Foam cells

Latest Research and Reviews

Na⁺-H⁺ exchanger 1 determines atherosclerotic lesion acidification and promotes atherogenesis

CKIP-1 limits foam cell formation and inhibits atherosclerosis by promoting degradation of Oct-1 by REGγ

Monocyte gene expression in childhood obesity is associated with obesity and complexity of atherosclerosis in adults

Macrophagic CD146 promotes foam cell formation and retention during atherosclerosis

Pdcd4 deficiency enhances macrophage lipoautophagy and attenuates foam cell formation and atherosclerosis in mice

Platelet-derived CXCL12 regulates monocyte function, survival, differentiation into macrophages and foam cells through differential involvement of CXCR4–CXCR7

News and Comment

Trafficking patterns of mononuclear phagocytes

Macrophage regulation

Lipid metabolism linked to anti-inflammatory functions

Fatty plaque link to inflammation

Cardiovascular biology: Fatty foam cells

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