Review Note

Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

1. {{c2::endothelial}} injury 
*{{c1::hypertension}} is the leading cause of this, mainly because it can go unrecognized for a long time
*pre-existing {{c10::oxidized LDL}} can also cause this 

2. {{c3::intimal smooth muscle cell (SMC)}} migrates from media to intima and proliferates in response to injury 

3. plasma {{c6::LDL}} molecules get into injured endothelium (intima) → become oxidized and are taken up by macrophages/monocytes → form {{c7::foam}} cells 
*macrophages and damaged endothelium release {{c4::growth}} factors, {{c5::cyto}}kines, and {{c5::chemo}}kines → recruit more macrophages

4. formation of {{c8::fatty streak}}: {{c9::lipid}}-filled {{c7::foam}} cells
*some of these progress into plauqes → eventually leads to blockage of vessels