Innate and Adaptive Immunity in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis

• Published in: Circulation research Vol. 91; no. 4; pp. 281 - 291
• Main Authors: Hansson, Göran K, Libby, Peter, Schönbeck, Uwe, Yan, Zhong-Qun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD American Heart Association, Inc 23.08.2002; Lippincott; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Animals; Antibody Specificity - immunology; Arteriosclerosis - etiology; Arteriosclerosis - immunology; Arteriosclerosis - physiopathology; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Blood Vessels - immunology; Blood Vessels - physiopathology; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cytokines - immunology; Disease Progression; Humans; Immunity, Active; Immunity, Innate; Inflammation Mediators - immunology; Lymphocytes - immunology; Macrophages - immunology; Medical sciences; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Human; Acquired immunity; Pathogenesis; Cytokine; Cardiovascular disease; Natural immunity; Inflammation; Review; Vascular disease; Animal; Atherosclerosis; Lymphocyte; Immune system; Macrophage
• ISSN: 0009-7330; 1524-4571; 1524-4571
• DOI: 10.1161/01.RES.0000029784.15893.10

ABSTRACT—This review considers critically the evidence for the involvement of mediators of innate and acquired immunity in various stages of atherosclerosis. Rapidly mobilized arms of innate immunity, including phagocytic leukocytes, complement, and proinflammatory cytokines, contribute to atherogenesis. In addition, adaptive immunity, with its T cells, antibodies, and immunoregulatory cytokines, powerfully modulates disease activity and progression. Atherogenesis involves cross talk between and shared pathways involved in adaptive and innate immunity. Immune processes can influence the balance between cell proliferation and death, between synthetic and degradative processes, and between pro- and antithrombotic processes. Various established and emerging risk factors for atherosclerosis modulate aspects of immune responses, including lipoproteins and their modified products, vasoactive peptides, and infectious agents. As we fill in the molecular details, new potential targets for therapies will doubtless emerge.