Identification of a Non-Growth Factor Role for GM-CSF in Advanced Atherosclerosis Promotion of Macrophage Apoptosis and Plaque Necrosis Through IL-23 Signaling

摘要

Rationale: Granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF, Csf2) is a growth factor for myeloid-lineage cells that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and other chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the role of GM-CSF in advanced atherosclerotic plaque progression, the process that gives rise to clinically dangerous plaques, is unknown.