Our challenge: over the course of around 12 seconds, depict several hallmarks of early-stage of atherosclerosis, a disease process triggered by subtle damage to the endothelial cell layer of arteries.
Damage to the endothelial wall has provoked an inflammatory response. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles can be seen circulating in the flow and entering the arterial wall. Monocytes migrate into the lumina and eventually differentiate into macrophages. Over time, these macrophages ingest oxidized LDL’s, become foam cells, and eventually die. This excess of LDL’s and foam cells is central to the formation of fatty streaks.
