Abstract
One of the characteristic features of early atherogenesis is focal accumulation of monocyte/macrophages and T lymphocytes in arteral intima. Endothelial expression of adhesion molecules, such as VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, appear to play a role in this process. Lysophosphatidylcholine (lyso-PC), a prominent phospholipid component of atherogenic lipoproteins such as oxidized LDL and β-VLDL, can upregulate expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in cultured human and rabbit arterial endothelial cells. Lyso-PC also induces endothelial expression of potent smooth muscle growth factors such as PDGF A- and B-chains and HB-EGF in culture.
Thus, lyso-PC may be an important stimulus, in atherogenesis, to enhance mononuclear leukocyte recruitment into arterial lesions and to stimulate migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in situ.
