Interferon-γ and atherosclerosis : Pro- or anti-atherogenic?

• Published in: Cardiovascular research Vol. 67; no. 1; pp. 11 - 20
• Main Authors: HARVEY, Elizabeth J, RAMJI, Dipak P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.07.2005
• Subjects: Animals; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Atherosclerosis - immunology; Atherosclerosis - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cell Adhesion Molecules - metabolism; Chemokines - immunology; Endothelium, Vascular - immunology; Endothelium, Vascular - metabolism; Humans; Interferon-gamma - genetics; Interferon-gamma - physiology; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Lipoproteins - metabolism; Macrophages - immunology; Medical sciences; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - immunology; Signal Transduction - physiology; Vascular disease; Cytokines; Interferon-γ; Atherosclerosis; Cytokine; Cardiovascular disease; Inflammation; Circulatory system; Foam cell; Cardiology; Phlebology; Gamma interferon
• ISSN: 0008-6363; 1755-3245
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cardiores.2005.04.019

Atherosclerosis is considered to be a form of chronic inflammation governed by a complex network of inter- and intra-cellular signaling pathways. The pleiotropic cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) is a key pro-inflammatory mediator that is expressed at high levels in atherosclerotic lesions. IFN-gamma regulates the function and properties of all the cell types in the vessel wall. The precise role of IFN-gamma in atherogenesis is complex, with both pro- and anti-atherogenic actions being identified. This review will discuss these actions of the cytokine along with recent findings that have emerged from mouse models of atherosclerosis that are deficient in IFN-gamma signaling.