Beyond cholesterol--inflammatory cytokines, the key mediators in atherosclerosis.
The development of atherosclerotic lesions encompasses a cascade of cellular and molecular responses that can at best be characterized as an inflammatory process, and exhibits striking similarities to autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Chemokines, cytokines and their receptors are critically involved in initiation and perpetuation of atherosclerosis, and they play important roles at all levels in the pathogenesis of this disease. In the present article, the currently available information on cytokines and chemokines as key mediators in atherosclerosis is reviewed. Furthermore, based on recent experiences of our own with very early stages of atherosclerosis, possible new ways to make use of these parameters toward improved early detection, prevention and treatment of this disease are indicated.
Mangge
Harald
H
Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnosis, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria. harald.mangge@meduni-graz.at
Hubmann
Holger
H
Pilz
Stefan
S
Schauenstein
Konrad
K
Renner
Wilfried
W
März
Winfried
W
D000818:Animals; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism; D018448:Models, Immunological; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D002784:Cholesterol