How a type of immune cell fights against atherosclerosis

Marginal zone B cells and the regulation of the pro-atherogenic T follicular helper response

BHF Professor Ziad Mallat from the University of Cambridge is studying how immune cells are involved in atherosclerosis, a process in which arteries become furred up with fatty plaques and they narrow. If the plaques rupture, they can trigger a blood clot inside the blood vessel, leading to heart attacks and strokes. Professor Mallat has discovered that, contrary to previous thinking, immune cells called marginal zone B cells help protect the heart and circulatory system by limiting the process of atherosclerosis. He suspects the marginal zone B cells are specialised in handling fat (lipid) material, but doesn’t yet understand how they carry out their protective role. In this project, Professor Mallat will carry out state-of-the art experiments to find out how marginal zone B cells protect against atherosclerosis. He wants to understand what this type of immune cell does in response to fat build-up in the arteries and if this protective role can be used to limit atherosclerosis.