Gene expression in atherosclerotic lesions.

Atherosclerotic lesions contain macrophages, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells, all of which participate in lesion development. Upon stimulation these cells express a variety of different factors and receptors which are involved in lipid metabolism, cellular proliferation, tissue repair, immune response and inflammatory reactions. During the last few years, active expression of several genes has been reported in developing atherosclerotic lesions. These genes include scavenger receptor, 15-lipoxygenase, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage colony stimulating factor-1, lipoprotein lipase, platelet-derived growth factor, tissue factor, apolipoprotein E, stromelysin, different adhesion molecules and various cytokines. Evidence continues to grow that the pattern of gene expression and the functional status of cells in different regions of atherosclerotic lesions may differ considerably and could be regulated by local factors present in atherosclerotic lesions. One such a powerful factor which may contribute to the regulation of gene expression in developing lesions is oxidized LDL which has been shown to affect the expression of cytokines, growth factors and chemotactic factors by arterial cells. Recent developments in the analysis of gene expression in the artery wall at the cellular level will undoubtedly increase our understanding about the sequence of events leading to the formation of atherosclerotic lesions.