Leukotriene receptors in atherosclerosis.
Leukotriene-forming enzymes are expressed within atherosclerotic lesions and locally produced leukotrienes exert pro-inflammatory actions within the vascular wall by means of cell surface receptors of the BLT and CysLT receptor subtypes. The migration and accumulation of inflammatory cells that follow leukotriene receptor activation have been implicated in atherosclerosis initiation and progression. Leukotriene receptors are in addition expressed on endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells, associated with intimal hyperplasia in early atherosclerosis and restenotic lesions after angioplasty. Taken together, recent evidence suggests that leukotriene receptors may be a potential target in the treatment of atherosclerosis and in the prevention of restenosis after coronary interventions.
Bäck
Magnus
M
Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. Magnus.Back@cmm.ki.se
Hansson
Göran K
GK
D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D015289:Leukotrienes / Q000378:metabolism; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000502:physiology; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene / Q000378:metabolism; D018102:Receptors, Leukotriene B4 / Q000502:physiology*
D007473:Ion Channels; D015289:Leukotrienes; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018077:Receptors, Leukotriene; D018102:Receptors, Leukotriene B4; C412375:cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 2; C083169:leukotriene D4 receptor