Abstract

Macrophage Exosomes in Atherosclerosis Control

Robert Raffai, Professor, University of California-San Francisco

Macrophages are a type of immune cell that display plasticity in inflammatory diseases including atherosclerosis. M1-macrophages contribute to inflammation and atherosclerosis acceleration while M2-macrophages display opposite effects to suppress and even regress atherosclerosis. More recently, macrophages have been shown to produce exosomes that can travel in the circulation and contribute to metabolic disorders including diabetes. But whether they impact atherosclerotic lesion dynamics is currently unknown. Our findings reveal that exosomes produced by M1-macropahges enhance inflammation and atherosclerosis acceleration while those produced by M2-like macrophages exert opposite effects. Thus, macrophage exosomes could serve as biomarkers and effectors of atherosclerosis disease severity and its resolution.