METHODS TO IDENTIFY THERAPEUTIC AGENTS USEFUL FOR TREATING AND PREVENTING ATHEROSCLEROSIS BY COUNTERACTING THE EFFECT OF CHOLESTEROL OZONATION PRODUCTS

摘要

As illustrated herein, cholesterol is oxidized when it is present in atherosclerotic plaques. This reaction generates cholesterol oxidation or ozonation products that can act as chemotactic attractants of macrophages, can promote differentiation of monocytes into macrophages and can increase expression of E-selectin and Class A scavenger receptor (SR-A). The present application is directed to methods of using such cholesterol ozonoation products to identify agents that can be used to treat atherosclerosis and other inflammatory artery diseases.