“Role of dendritic cell subsets in hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis”

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, dendritic cells, quaking, immune system

Dendritic cells (DCs) are essential to ensuring adequate immune response, but are also involved in several chronic conditions, such as atherosclerosis. This dissertation examines how DCs influence atherosclerosis. It found that certain DCs involved in cellular immune response have very little influence on disease progression. This study also demonstrated that elevated cholesterol levels are an important indicator for atherosclerosis and can impair DC functioning and the immune system. Finally, it was discovered that deactivating DC quaking slows disease progression. This finding makes quaking an interesting target protein for treating atherosclerosis.