title: [Pathophysiology of giant cell arteritis].
abstract: Giant cell arteritis is a large-vessel vasculitis affecting all three layers of the arterial wall. Histopathology of this vasculitis consists of an inflammatory infiltrate with CD4(+) T cells, macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, forming granulomas in the media. This infiltrate is associated with a destruction of the arterial wall, a fragmentation of the internal elastic lamina and a vascular remodeling leading to intimal hyperplasia. Recent studies have clarified the role of Th17 cells in the initial phase of the disease, pro-inflammatory cytokines and vascular smooth muscle cells in vascular remodeling. This review aims to update data on giant cell arteritis pathogenesis and to propose clues of investigation for a better understanding of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Service de médecine interne A, CHU Dupuytren, 2, avenue Martin-Luther-King, 87042 Limoges cedex, France. kim.ly@chu-limoges.fr
authors.forename: K-H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ly
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Liozon
authors.forename: A-L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Fauchais
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vidal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000276:immunology*; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D007239:Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000502:physiology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D015850:Interleukin-6