Stimulation of pDCs leads to an increase of macrophages present in plaques. However, during later stages of lesion progression, pDCs have been shown to have a protective effect by activating T cells and Treg function; leading to disease suppression.
The stimulation of pDCs leads to an increase in the number of macrophages found in lesions. However, as the disease progresses, pDCs have been found to play a protective part by activating T cells and improving Treg function, ultimately leading to disease control.