TLR2 and neutrophils potentiate endothelial stress, apoptosis and detachment: implications for superficial erosion

Superficial erosion of atheromata causes many acute coronary syndromes, but arises from unknown mechanisms. This study tested the hypothesis that Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) activation contributes to endothelial apoptosis and denudation and thus contributes to the pathogenesis of superficial erosion.Toll-like receptor-2 and neutrophils localized at sites of superficially eroded human plaques. In vitro, TLR2 ligands (including hyaluronan, a...