Hamostaseologie 2015; 35(02): 121-127
DOI: 10.5482/HAMO-14-09-0040
Review
Schattauer GmbH

Neutrophils in atherosclerosis

A brief overviewNeutrophile Granulozyten und AtheroskleroseEine kurze Übersicht
H. Hartwig
1   Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
,
C. Silvestre Roig
1   Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
,
M. Daemen
1   Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
,
E. Lutgens
2   Department of Medical Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
3   Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), LMU Munich, Germany
,
O. Soehnlein
1   Department of Pathology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
2   Department of Medical Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center (AMC), Amsterdam, the Netherlands
4   German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
› Author Affiliations

The authors’ research is supported by the DFG (SO876/3–1, SO876/6–1, SFB914 TP B08, SFB1123 TP A6 and B5), the Else Kröner Fresenius Stiftung, the NWO (VIDI project 91712303), and the LMU excellence initiative.
Further Information

Publication History

received: 01 September 2014

accepted in revised form: 29 October 2014

Publication Date:
28 December 2017 (online)

Preview

Summary

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammation of the arterial wall and the continuous infiltration of leukocytes into the plaque enhances the progression of the lesion. Because of the scarce detection of neutrophils in atherosclerotic plaques compared to other immune cells, their contribution was largely neglected. However, in the last years studies have accumulated pointing towards the contribution of neutrophils to atherogenesis. In addition, studies are emerging implying a role for neutrophils in advanced atherosclerosis and/or plaque destabilization. Thus, this brief review delivers an overview of the role of neutrophils during early and late stage atherosclerosis.

Zusammenfassung

Atherosklerose ist eine chronische Entzündung der Arterienwand. Die kontinuierliche Infiltration von Leukozyten fördert ihr Fortschreiten. Aufgrund der geringen Anzahl neutrophiler Granulozyten in atherosklerotischen Läsionen wurde die Rolle dieser Zellen bisher weitgehend vernachlässigt. Studienergebnisse der vergangenen Jahre deuten darauf hin, dass neutrophile Granulozyten zur Initiation und Progression der Atherosklerose wesentlich beitragen. Außerdem lassen neue Untersuchungen auf eine Rolle neutrophiler Granulozyten in der Destabilisierung atherosklerotischer Läsionen schließen. In dieser Übersicht sind die wichtigsten Funktionen neutrophiler Granulozyten in verschiedenen Phasen der Atherosklerose zusammengefasst.