Pleiotropic Effects of Thyroid Hormones: Learning from Hypothyroidism

Figure 8

Early stages of the atherogenic process. (1) Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) reach the subendothelial space. (2) LDLs become oxidized by reactive oxygen species (ROS). (3) Oxidized LDLs act as chemotactic molecules for monocytes. (4) Monocytes differentiate in macrophages within the subendothelial space (5) Macrophages further phagocyte oxidized LDL with the consequent lipid accumulation in their cytoplasm, originating a foam cell that favours an inflammatory response by stimulating the endothelial expression of adhesion molecules.