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. 2014;9(6):657-671.
doi: 10.2217/clp.14.50.

The mutual interplay of lipid metabolism and the cells of the immune system in relation to atherosclerosis

Godfrey S Getz  1 , Catherine A Reardon  1
Affiliations

The mutual interplay of lipid metabolism and the cells of the immune system in relation to atherosclerosis

Godfrey S Getz et al. Clin Lipidol. 2014.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammation in the arterial wall involving cells of the innate and adaptive immune system that is promoted by hyperlipidemia. In addition, the immune system can influence lipids and lipoprotein levels and cellular lipid homeostasis can influence the level and function of the immune cells. We will review the effects of manipulation of adaptive immune cells and immune cell products on lipids and lipoproteins, focusing mainly on studies performed in murine models of atherosclerosis. We also review how lipoproteins and cellular lipid levels, particularly cholesterol levels, influence the function of cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems. The overriding theme is that these interactions are driven by the need to provide the energy and membrane components for cell proliferation and migration, membrane expansion and other functions that are so important in the functioning of the immune cells.

Keywords: adaptive immune system; cellular lipid; cholesterol biosynthesis; cytokine; innate immune system; lipid efflux; lipid rafts; lipoprotein; oxysterol; plasma lipid.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Oxysterols and cholesterol biosynthetic intermediates, such as desmosterol, influence a variety of functions in immune cells
Liver X receptor has a major role in the effects on lipid efflux and proliferation, and anti-inflammatory functions, although some of liver X receptor’s anti-inflammatory function is independent of oxysterols.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Decreased lipid efflux due to deficiency of ABCA1 and ABCG1 in HSPC in the bone marrow leads to increased number of lipid rafts and expression of the common β subunit of the receptor for IL-3 & GMCSF, rendering the progenitor cells more responsive to the growth factors
This leads to monocytosis and neutrophilia in the blood. ApoE also has a role in the proliferation of HSPC. HSPC: Hematopoietic stem multipotent progenitor cell.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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