Rho-Associated Coiled-Coil-Containing Kinase 2 Deficiency in Bone Marrow–Derived Cells Leads to Increased Cholesterol Efflux and Decreased Atherosclerosis

Abstract

ROCK2 contributes to atherosclerosis, in part, by inhibiting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ-mediated reverse cholesterol transport in macrophages, which contributes to foam cell formation. These findings suggest that inhibition of ROCK2 in macrophages may have therapeutic benefits in preventing the development of atherosclerosis.