title: Potential role for immunomodulatory therapy in atherosclerotic plaque stabilisation.
abstract: Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying acute coronary syndromes has evolved beyond the view that this syndrome reflects a progressive collection of lipids and cellular debris in the vascular wall. Current evidence has implicated a role for inflammation in the pathogenesis of this process. Thus, inflammatory cytokines may attenuate interstitial collagen synthesis, increase matrix degradation and promote apoptosis in several atheroma-associated cell types, and all these cellular events may enhance plaque vulnerability. Recently, a series of experimental studies have reported the plaque-stabilising effects of immunomodulatory therapy such as chemokine blockade, anti-CD40 ligand and IL-10. It is conceivable that some of these approaches will be tested clinically and, if successful, they could provide novel treatment strategies for atherosclerotic plaque stabilisation.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute for Internal Medicine, Norway. pal.aukrust@rikshospitalet.no
authors.forename: Pål
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aukrust
authors.forename: Arne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yndestad
authors.forename: Camilla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Wiggo J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Sandberg
authors.forename: Thor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ueland
authors.forename: Torgun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Waehre
authors.forename: Bente
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Halvorsen
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gullestad
authors.forename: Jan Kristian
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Damås
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023201:CD40 Ligand / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D018925:Chemokines / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018925:Chemokines; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D016753:Interleukin-10; D023201:CD40 Ligand