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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2015 Apr 4.
Published in final edited form as: Sci Transl Med. 2014 Jun 4;6(239):239sr1. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3005101

Fig. 3. Therapeutic targets in inflammatory atherosclerosis.

Fig. 3

A cascade of processes that contribute to macrophage activity and inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques can be specifically targeted to halt the progression of the disease. The migration of monocytes from the bone marrow or spleen to atherosclerotic plaque can be inhibited; the phenotype of monocytes can be modulated; monocyte migration into the plaque can be halted, or monocytes/macrophages departing the plaque can be stimulated. Moreover, macrophage proliferation and the excretion of harmful proteases or cytokines are compelling therapeutic targets.