Electronegative LDL: A Circulating Modified LDL with a Role in Inflammation

Figure 4

Cytokine induction through CD14-TLR4 by LPS and LDL(−). In the absence of bacterial infection, CD14-TLR4 activation mediated through LDL(−) triggers an inflammatory response that would be deleterious in case of high LDL(−) concentration (a). This effect would be lower than that induced by LPS at high concentrations (infection) in the absence of LDL(−) (b). When LPS and LDL(−) coexist, there is a competition between the two stimuli. The global effect will depend on the relative concentration of both molecules (c). TLR4: toll-like receptor 4, LPS: lipopolysaccharide, LDL(−): electronegative LDL.