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![Atherosclerosis microbiome: upcoming target for vaccine and drug development](https://image.oaes.cc/11d1d595-bbfe-4a7e-99dd-f2da0f0426f7/3420.fig.1.jpg)
Figure 1. Bacterial component of atheromas representing transmigrating from the vascular lumen and tissue-embedded macrophages (MΦ). The activated inflammatory leukocytes roll over the intima, adhere to the endothelial cells and transmigrate in the tissue. This includes intracellular bacteria-carrying macrophages extravasating from the vascular lumen into the arterial wall. Bacteria induce host cells to release chemotaxis molecules (such as MCP-1) and growth factors stimulating host cell division. Invasive bacteria multiply, causing persistent inflammation and apoptotic cell death, forming a necrotic core and eroding the vascular wall. MN: extravasating monocyte; EC: endothelial cell; SMC: smooth muscle cell; MCP-1: monocyte chemoattractant protein-1