Abstract 14893: Light Activation in Plaque Macrophages Enhances Efferocytosis of Apoptotic Cells via Upregulation of Autophagy and Mertk Expression

• DOI: 10.1161/circ.142.suppl_3.14893
• Publication Date: 2021-05-10T16:31:49Z
• Authors: Joon Woo Song; Min Woo Lee; Hyun Jung Kim; Jiseon Min; Un Gyo Kang; Yeon Hoon Kim; Jeongmoo Han; Hongki Yoo; Kyeongsoon Park; Jin Won Kim
• Keywords: efferocytosis; MERTK; Scavenger Receptor

Introduction: Autophagy plays a protective role in atherosclerosis and can promote efferocytosis of apoptotic cells. Photoactivation is promising tool for treating cardiovascular disease, induces autophagy macrophages-derived foam cells, however, regulation by photoactivation atherosclerotic plaque remains unknown. Objective: The present study aims to investigate whether macrophage targeted light activation enhances inflamed plaques Methods Results: Targeted photoactivatable agent showed specific binding affinity phototoxicity scavenger receptor-expressing macrophages. Confocal microscopy analysis over time after irradiation demonstrated the induction apoptosis flux macrophage-derived theranostic localized receptors within plaques, intravital fluorescence imaged inflammation was used monitor photobleaching irradiation. Serial vivo imaging that macrophage-specific reduced burden 1 week (Figure A). Mechanistically, induced atheroma as early day B), increased phagocytic receptor Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) expression. had 2-fold-increase macrophage-associated bodies at one laser irradiation, indicating enhanced C). Conclusions: As sensitive multifunctional therapeutic strategy, with could confer strategy high-risk plaques.