title: T cells in atherosclerosis.
abstract: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the artery wall. Atherosclerotic lesions contain monocytes, macrophages, smooth muscle cells and T lymphocytes. Here, we review the role of T-lymphocyte subsets in atherosclerosis. Among CD4⁺T cells, T(h)1 cells are pro-atherogenic, T(reg) cells are athero-protective and the role of T(h)2 and T(h)17 cells remains unclear. The role of follicular helper T cells in atherosclerosis remains unknown, as is the role of CD8⁺T cells. NKT cells bind glycolipid antigens and exert a pro-atherogenic role. The antigen specificity of T-cell responses in atherosclerosis is poorly understood. In order to enable antigen-specific prevention or therapy, a better understanding of these mechanisms is needed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, University of California at San Diego Medical Center, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tse
authors.forename: Harley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tse
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sidney
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sette
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
keywords: T cell; atherosclerosis; inflammation