The therapeutic potential of targeting B cells and anti-oxLDL antibodies in atherosclerosis.
While the involvement of T cells in atherosclerosis is nowadays well accepted, little is known about the role of B cells. Obviously, B cells as the source of antibodies, in particular antibodies to oxLDL, have gained a lot of attention in atherosclerosis. In addition, B cells do harbour other functions in adaptive immunity. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on both the role of B cells and antibodies, i.e., anti-oxLDL antibodies, in atherosclerosis. It appears that B cells and also anti-oxLDL antibodies may comprise pro- and anti-atherogenic effects. Therefore, the establishment of effective therapy, targeting B cells or anti-oxLDL antibodies, warrants further research to unravel these opposite effects.
van Leeuwen
M
M
Department of Internal Medicine, Section Clinical & Experimental Immunology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Damoiseaux
J
J
Duijvestijn
A
A
Tervaert
J W Cohen
JW
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000276:immunology*; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D051379:Mice; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D000906:Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D016756:Immunoglobulins, Intravenous; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D017452:Receptors, IgG; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein