title: Inflammatory mechanisms in atherosclerosis.
abstract: Throughout the last two decades inflammation has been recognized as the central mechanism underlying atherogenesis. A multitude of basic science work demonstrates the pivotal role of inflammatory processes during every step of atherosclerotic plaque formation: From initiation via propagation to complication. This review describes some of the key mechanisms involved with a particular focus on the diverse group of inflammatory cells and their subsets that distinctly contribute to atherogenic and anti-atherogenic phenomena. Furthermore, we summarize the controlling action of a tight network of co-stimulatory molecules and cytokines orchestrating the inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effector functions. Finally, the current status of clinical trials evaluating anti-inflammatory/immune-modulatory treatment strategies is summarized and an outlook for future therapeutic implications is provided.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stachon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bode
authors.affiliation: Prof. Dr. Andreas Zirlik, Heart Center Freiburg University Cardiology and Angiology I Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany, Tel. +49/(0)761/27 03 44 15 Fax +49/(0)761/27 03 44 26, E-mail: andreas.zirlik@universitaets-herzzentrum.de.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zirlik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000276:immunology*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000276:immunology*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D018448:Models, Immunological
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007155:Immunologic Factors
keywords: Atherosclerosis; clinical trials; inflammation; inflammatory cells; mechanisms