Immune Mechanisms in Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Abstract-Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Its lesions are filled with immune cells that can orchestrate and effect inflammatory responses. In fact, the first lesions of atherosclerosis consist of macrophages and T cells. Unstable plaques are particularly rich in activated immune cells, suggesting that they may initiate plaque activation. We have seen a rapid increase in the understanding of the mechanisms that govern the recruitment, differentiation, and activation of immune cells in atherosclerosis. Experimental research has identified several candidate antigens, and there are encouraging data suggesting that immune modulation as well as immunization can reduce the progression of the disease. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of the role of immune mechanisms in atherosclerosis.

Distribution of Inflammatory Cells in Adventitia Changed with Advancing Atherosclerosis of Human Coronary Artery

“…Therefore, it is unlikely that the cases used here included cases of ischemic heart diseases, such as acute myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, although episodes of angina pectoris and coronary spasms, which were reported to induce inflammatory responses in the adventitia, were not checked in the used cases 22) . The distribution of infiltrating inflammatory cells in subintimal regions was compatible with previous reports [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] . Neither B lymphocyte marker (CD20)-positive cells nor pyroninophilic cells were found in the subintimal region, although Mp and activated Mp marker (CD68, Mac-2)-positive cells significantly increased in type .…”

“…This is well summarized by Ramshaw and Parums 1) , Ross 2) , Hansson 3) and Libby 4) . Most reports describing infiltrating lymphocytes in atherosclerotic lesions addressed mainly T lymphocytes [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] .…”

“…This is well summarized by Ramshaw and Parums 1) , Ross 2) , Hansson 3) and Libby 4) . Most reports describing infiltrating lymphocytes in atherosclerotic lesions addressed mainly T lymphocytes [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] . Schoenbeck et al reported in 2002 that the immune response, Th-1 type or Th-2 type, differed in stenotic or ectatic atherosclerosis in human abdominal aortic aneurysm 12) , although Th-2 mediated immune response was recognized in experimental T and B lymphocyte infiltration with changing distribution as the type of atherosclerosis advanced.…”

“…In recent years, many reports have been published concerning immune responses in atherosclerotic lesions in humans, and they described that the infiltra- tion of macrophages (Mp) and T lymphocytes was predominant in atherosclerotic lesions [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] , although Schoenbeck et al reported in 2002 that the Th-2-mediated immune response would prevail in ectatic atherosclerosis in human abdominal aortic aneurysm, and the Th-1-mediated response in stenotic lesions 12) . In the present study, the authors counted infiltrating inflammatory cells in the subintimal region and quantitatively estimated the transition of the distribution as the type of atherosclerosis advanced.…”

Vitamin D Status, C-Reactive Protein and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease—A Hospital-Based Study

“…It begins as qualitative changes in endothelial cells; under the action of oxidative, hemodynamic, or biochemical stimuli (such as smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia) and inflammatory factors, they change their permeability to promote the entry and retention of blood-borne monocytes and low density lipoprotein (LDL) [4] [5]. The atherosclerotic lesion contains cytokines that provoke the production of many inflammatory and cytotoxic molecules in macrophages and vascular cells [6] and also promote the antiatherosclerotic immune reactions [7]. This results in elevation of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP) which may be detected in the peripheral circulation [8] [9].…”