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. 2014 Mar 12;9(3):e90497. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090497

Figure 2. Schematic network of atherosclerosis.

Figure 2

LDL and HDL are oxidized by free radicals, and become ox-LDL and ox-HDL respectively. Ox-LDL recruits macrophages to intima. By ingesting ox-LDL, macrophages are transformed to foam cells. SMCs are attracted into the intima by MCP-1 (secreted by endothelial cells) and PDGF (secreted by macrophages and foam cells). Macrophages, foam cells and SMCs secrete IL-12, which activates T cells. IFN-γ secreted by T cells enhance the activity of macrophages which contributes the plaque built-up.