Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Definition of Terms
Atherosclerosis:
A chronic inl ammatory disease af ecting the intima and media of large-
and medium-sized arteries characteristically due to the accumulation of lipoproteins
and macrophages. h is inl ammatory process leads to the formation of focal lesions
(plaques), containing lipid and i brous tissue. h e plaques eventually rupture, causing
the formation of a thrombus that will rapidly slow or stop blood l ow, and thereby
leading to death of the tissues fed by the artery.
Cutaneous xanthoma:
A yellowish-orange, lipid-i lled nodule or plaque in the skin, ot en
occurring on an eyelid or over a joint. Histologically, the lesions show macrophage-
derived lipid-laden foam cells. h e formation of xanthomas may indicate an underlying
disease, usually related to the abnormal metabolism of lipids, including cholesterol.
Endothelial cells:
h e cells lining the inner walls of blood vessels.
Low-density lipoprotein:
A fraction of the total serum lipids, the so called 'bad' cholesterol.
h is lipoprotein is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cutaneous
xanthomas.
Monocyte/macrophage:
A macrophage is a highly phagocytic cell derived from circulating
monocytes that occurs in the walls of blood vessels or in the connective tissue.
Scavenger receptors:
A group of receptors that recognize modii ed low-density lipoprotein
by oxidation or acetylation. h is name is based on the function of cleaning (scavenging):
scavenger receptors widely recognize and uptake macromolecules having a negative
charge as well as modii ed low-density lipoprotein.
Signal transduction:
Any process by which a cell converts one kind of signal or stimulus into
another, most ot en involving ordered sequences of biochemical reactions inside the
cell, which are carried out by enzymes, activated by second messengers resulting in what
is thought of as a 'signal transduction pathway. In many signal transduction processes,
the number of proteins and other molecules participating in these events emanates from
the initial stimulus and thus results in a 'signal cascade.
References
Berliner, J.A. and M.C. Territo, A. Sevanian, S. Ramin, J.A. Kim, B. Bamshad, M. Esterson,
and A.M. Fogelman. 1990. Minimally modii ed low density lipoprotein stimulates
monocyte endothelial interactions. J. Clin. Invest. 85: 1260-1266.
Chen, H. and D. Li, J. Chen, G.J. Roberts, T. Saldeen, and J.L. Mehta. 2003. EPA and DHA
attenuate ox-LDL-induced expression of adhesion molecules in human coronary artery
endothelial cells via protein kinase B pathway. J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol. 35: 769-775.
Cominacini, L. and U. Garbin, A.F. Pasini, A. Davoli, M. Campagnola, G.B. Contessi, A.M.
Pastorino, and V. Lo Cascio. 1997a. Antioxidants inhibit the expression of intercellular
cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 induced by oxidized
LDL on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Free Radic. Biol. Med. 22: 117-127.
Cominacini, L. and U. Garbin, A.F. Pasini, T. Paulon, A. Davoli, M. Campagnola, E. Marchi,
A.M. Pastorino, G. Gaviraghi, and V. Lo Cascio. 1997b. Lacidipine inhibits the activation
of the transcription factor NF-kappaB and the expression of adhesion molecules induced
by pro-oxidant signals on endothelial cells. J. Hypertens. 15: 1633-1640.
Cominacini, L. and A. Pasini, U. Garbin, S. Evangelista, A.E. Crea, D. Tagliacozzi, C. Nava,
A. Davoli, and V. Lo Cascio. 2002. Zofenopril inhibits the expression of adhesion
