EXOGENOUS AND ENDOGENOUS FACTORS IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS PATHOGENESIS. RECEPTOR THEORY OF ATHEROGENESIS

Abstract

The evidence on the role of Toll-like receptors (TLR) and their ligands in atherosclerosis development has been summarised. Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) could interact with TLR4 and induce macrophage transformation into foam cells, triggering atherosclerotic lesion development in the vascular wall. TLR4 mutations are associated with reduced atherosclerosis risk. Other microbial ligands and heat shock proteins could also induce atherosclerosis. A universal theory of atherogenesis is proposed, considering atherosclerosis induction and progression as an adverse effect of the interaction between exogenous and endogenous ligands and TLR.

Keywords

• toll-like receptors (tlr)
• lipopolysaccharides (lps)
• tlr ligands
• atherogenesis