The Role of Immune Complexes in Atherogenesis

New research has been taking place in determining the body's response to cholesterol and plaque buildup, and how these responses can lead to the development of atherosclerosis. This research has shown a strong correlation between immune complex activity and atherogenesis in patients. The immunoglobulins are attracted to chemicals in the plaque and cholesterol buildup that act as antigens, such as oxidated LDL cholesterol, and attract antibodies and form large complexes as the immunoglobulins absorbed the ox-LDL. The amount of ox-LDL absorbed by the immune complexes circulating the blood can be a strong indicator of future cardiovascular disease.

The complexes affect the lesions in the arteries by cross linking with Fc receptors, which slow down monocyte apoptosis and keep macrophages and other cells alive that help make up the foam cells found in plaque. They can also invoke a complement system by which they affect genes of the endothelial cells to increase the markers for attachment of particles in the blood stream while downregulating 27-hydroxylase, which removes cholesterol from atery walls. These inflammatory responses encourage the buildup of particles, which ultimately leads to atherosclerosis.

The article also described methods of detecting the immune complexes, which occured mainly through marking them with various antibodies for chemical assays. They could then use these dectection methods as possible ways to predict cardiovascular disease in the future. There is also research into the treatment of the immune complexes. The main way to get rid of them right now is through statins, although they are no very effective, so new drugs and therapies are being tested in rats.

This article was relevant to me because of the device design project that we have been working on, and also because most of my family has issues with high cholesterol, and some of my relatives have cardiovascular diseases. This article shows that it is not only diet or genetics that play a part, but autoimmune responses. This is a possible way to lessen the severity of atherosclerosis, especially once methods of removing these immune complexes from the lesions are found that does not compromise the bodies general immune system.

Article can be found at http://ang.sagepub.com/content/61/7/679.full.pdf+html