fig1

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