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Disorders of Cholesterol Trafficking and the Formation of Cholesterol Crystals in Atherosclerotic Plaque

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Cholesterol Crystals in Atherosclerosis and Other Related Diseases

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

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Abstract

The control of cholesterol trafficking plays an essential role in maintaining the integrity of the arterial wall. Abnormal cholesterol trafficking has major influence on the genesis of atherosclerosis. Accumulation of free cholesterol in the endothelium, macrophages and the plaque core predisposes to the formation of cholesterol crystals that drive atherogenesis due to their ability to trigger inflammation and induce direct cellular damage. Herein we discuss factors that affect cholesterol traffic in the arterial wall that predisposes to plaque growth and cholesterol crystallization that eventually leads to plaque rupture and/or erosion and consequent myocardial infarction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Sean P. Gaine, Steven R. Jones & Peter P. Toth

  2. CGH Medical Center, Sterling, IL, USA

    Peter P. Toth

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  1. Sean P. Gaine
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  2. Steven R. Jones
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  3. Peter P. Toth
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Correspondence to Peter P. Toth .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    George S. Abela

  2. The Heart and Vascular Research Institute, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia

    Stefan Mark Nidorf

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Gaine, S.P., Jones, S.R., Toth, P.P. (2023). Disorders of Cholesterol Trafficking and the Formation of Cholesterol Crystals in Atherosclerotic Plaque. In: Abela, G.S., Nidorf, S.M. (eds) Cholesterol Crystals in Atherosclerosis and Other Related Diseases. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41192-2_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41192-2_7

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