title: CD4+ CD28 null T cells in coronary artery disease: when helpers become killers.
abstract: The crucial role of T cells in atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD) has been highlighted by recent observations. Helper CD4(+) T cells can both aggravate or attenuate the atherogenic process and the development of CAD. CD4(+)CD28(null) T cells are an unusual subset of helper cells which expand and have deleterious effects in CAD. In this review, we discuss the current issues on the generation of CD4(+)CD28(null) T cells and focus on their phenotypic and functional characteristics relevant to the development of cardiovascular events. The possible effects of the present day therapies for CAD on the CD4(+)CD28(null) T cells are also explored. Targeting the CD4(+)CD28(null) T cell subset in CAD could provide novel therapeutic strategies to prevent acute life-threatening coronary events.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Biology Research Centre, Division of Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, St George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
authors.forename: Ingrid E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Dumitriu
authors.forename: Ernesto Trallero
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Araguás
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baboonian
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kaski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018106:CD28 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D018106:CD28 Antigens