CD8+ T cells accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques. Researchers identify a crucial signaling pathway -- with therapeutic potential.
CD8+ T cells accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques. LMU researchers identify a crucial signaling pathway -- with therapeutic potential. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of life-threatening cardiovascular diseases.
The disease involves chronic inflammation of the inner walls of blood vessels and within atherosclerotic plaques. A team led by Johan Duchêne and Remco Megens from the Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention has now identified a pathway involved in the recruitment of a certain subgroup of immune cells, known as CD8+ T cells, into plaques -- with possible implications for new therapeutic approaches. For a long time, macrophages and foam cells were considered the principal agents in the formation of plaques. More recent studies, however, have focused on other immune system cells, CD8+ T cells, as it transpired that these are the hematopoietic cells most commonly found in human atherosclerotic plaques."To better understand their role, it's important to know how they are recruited to the atherosclerotic plaques," says Laura Parma, the first author of the study. To answer this question, the scientists cultivated human atherosclerotic plaques together with CD8+ T cells from the same patient in a specially developed 3D tissue culture model. They discovered that the added CD8+ T cells were located primarily in the vicinity of newly formed blood vessels within the plaques. Further analyses using single-cell RNA sequencing and 3D microscopy revealed that the endothelial cells of these vessels express large amounts of the signaling protein CXCL12. Following up on this discovery, the researchers investigated whether CXCL12 is involved in the recruitment of CD8+ cells by blocking the corresponding receptor for this signaling protein in the T cells."This did indeed lead to a significant reduction in CD8+ T cell migration into atherosclerosis plaques," affirms Duchêne,"suggesting that the CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling pathway plays a key role in this process." "These findings furnish new lines of approach for therapeutic strategies that could influence immune cell infiltration in atherosclerotic plaques and could contribute in the long term to the development of new treatment options for cardiovascular diseases" concludes Megens.Laura Parma, Nadja Sachs, Nikola Sobczak, Zhaolong Li, Kevin Merchant, Jessica Pauli, Marie A.C. Depuydt, Anouk Wezel, Harm J. Smeets, Ilze Bot, Bram Slütter, Lars Maegdefessel, Christian Weber, Johan Duchêne, Remco T.A. Megens.In a major study, researchers have discovered a link between the levels of certain bacteria living in the gut and coronary atherosclerotic plaques. Such atherosclerotic plaques, which are formed by ... Researchers show that a molecule called T-cadherin can be secreted in a soluble form. Soluble T-cadherin interacts with pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells via the Notch signaling pathway to ... Heart attacks and strokes are the main causes of death and loss of productive years globally. These clinical complications are caused by atherosclerosis, which is a chronic disease that leads to the ... An observational study conducted using Drosophila fruit flies has uncovered a signaling pathway that causes neural cells to enter divisions after damage. The research is important because the ...
Lymphoma Stem Cells Brain Tumor Cancer Alzheimer's Research Human Biology Skin Cancer
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Weather Organizations Support Federal Workers And Researchers2 leading weather organizations step up for federal workers and researchers. Here's what they did.
Read more »
Researchers Uncover the Secret Glowing World of Biofluorescent Birds-of-ParadiseResearchers studying biofluorescence in birds-of-paradise captured amazing glowing photos of reactive plumage and skin.
Read more »
Researchers Discover a Serious Hidden Risk With Many Generic DrugsThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »
World's oldest runestone may have been signed by a woman, researchers sayMithil Aggarwal is a Hong Kong-based reporter/producer for NBC News.
Read more »
Eating this fruit can improve muscle health 'at the genetic level,' say researchersHere’s how to age like a fine wine.
Read more »
As dengue spreads, researchers discover a clue to fighting the virusThis research comes as dengue-carrying mosquitoes expand their territory into new regions, including Southern California.
Read more »