Role of chemokines in atherosclerosis.
This 'state of the art' review will focus on the chemokines (chemotactic cytokines), which are known, primarily, for their intense and robust capacity to recruit and activate inflammatory/immune cells and to modify the biological functions of vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and macrophages towards a pro-inflammatory phenotype. Specifically, the putative role of chemokines in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic plaque formation will be critically reviewed.
Feuerstein
G Z
GZ
SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, 709 Swedeland Road, PO Box 1539, UW2523, King of Prussia, PA 19406, USA. Giora_Z_Feuerstein@sbphrd.com
Wang
X
X