Regulation of macrophage function in inflammation and atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis can be considered as both a chronic inflammatory disease and a lipid metabolism disorder. Innate immunity pathways have long been suspected to contribute to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. This suggests that crosstalk between lipid metabolism and innate immunity pathways plays an important role for the development and/or the prevention of atherosclerosis. However, it is not fully defined how innate immunity affects lipid metabolism. Macrophages play a central role in atherogenesis through the accumulation of cholesterol and the production of inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Liver X receptors (LXRs) exert an important atheroprotective effect in the macrophage. In addition to regulating cholesterol metabolism, LXRs are also negative regulators of macrophage inflammatory gene responses. In this review, we will discuss the roles of LXRs in the macrophage as key factors that link innate immunity and lipid metabolism. Copyright ©2009 by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.