RNA-seq of human monocyte derived macrophages exposed to different atherogenic compounds

The accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages (foam cells) in the arterial wall is a crucial early step in atherosclerotic plaque development. Modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the primary cholesterol source for foam cells, taken up in an unregulated manner through scavenger receptors. This type of cells exhibit reduced migratory capacity while producing elevated levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby promoting inflammation and plaque progression. Still our understanding of the transcriptomic changes during macrophage-to-foam cell conversion remains limited. In this experiment, we aimed to identify genes responsible for the accumulation of cholesterol in human monocyte-derived macrophages exposed to modified and native LDL. The monocyte samples collected from healthy individuals were purified and exposed to modified and native LDLs obtained from plasm of atherosclerotic patients. RNA extracted after 24h of incubation was sequenced with polyA selection. The resulting data was normalised with limma and undergone DEG analysis followed by upstream analysis workflow with TRANSPATH and TRANSFAC databases to discover master regulator molecules.