Erythrocyte Efferocytosis by the Arterial Wall Promotes Oxidation in Early-Stage Atheroma in Humans

Background: Since Red Blood Cells (RBCs) are the predominant cellular blood component interacting with the arterial wall we explored the role of RBCs efferocytosis by vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) in the initiation of human atheroma. Methods and results: The comparison of human healthy aortas with aortic fatty streaks or fibroatheromas revealed that RBC angiophagy is implicated from the earliest stages of atherogenesis, as documented by...