The Pathological Factors Involved in Current In Vitro Atherosclerotic Models

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease stemmed from atherosclerosis (AS) is well recognized to be the predominant cause of global death. To comprehensively clarify the pathogenesis of AS, exploit effective drugs, as well as develop therapeutic solutions, various atherosclerotic models were constructed in vitro and widely utilized by the scientific community. Compared with animal models, the in vitro atherosclerotic models play a prominent role not only in the targeted research of single pathological factor related to AS in the human derived system, but also in the combined study on multipathological factors leading to AS, thereby contributing tremendously to the in-depth elucidation of atherosclerotic pathological process. In the current review, a variety of pathological factors incorporated into the existing atherosclerotic models in vitro are broadly elaborated, including the pathological mechanism, in vitro simulation approaches, and the desired improvement perspectives for reproducing each pathological factor. In addition, this review also summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of current atherosclerotic models as well as their potential functionality. Finally, the promising aspects for future atherosclerotic models in vitro with potential advances are also discussed.

Impact statement

The present in vitro models in relation to atherosclerosis (AS) have played a pivotal role in the extensive study of AS pathogenesis and downstream drug screening. This review mainly summarizes each pathological factor incorporated into the current in vitro models of AS, its pathogenic mechanism and in vitro simulation methods, as well as possible improvement aspects, thus providing new insight for constructing pathophysiologically relevant in vitro atherosclerotic models.