Figure 4.

Inflammation. Minimally oxidized LDL stimulates the overlying endothelial cells to produce adhesion molecules, chemotactic proteins such as monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and growth factors such as macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), resulting in the recruitment of monocytes to the vessel wall. Oxidized LDL has other effects, such as inhibiting the production of NO, an important mediator of vasodilation and expression of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecules (ELAMs). Among endothelial cell adhesion molecules likely to be important in the recruitment of leukocytes are ICAM-1, P-selectin, E-selectin, PCAM-1 and VCAM-1. Important adhesion molecules on monocytes include β2 integrin, VLA-4, and PCAM-1. Advanced glycosylation endproducts (AGEs) are formed in diabetes and these promote inflammation via specific receptors on endothelial cells.