title: Cytokines: roles in atherosclerosis disease progression and potential therapeutic targets.
abstract: Atherosclerosis, the primary cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), is a chronic inflammatory disorder in the walls of medium and large arteries. CVD is currently responsible for about one in three global deaths and this is expected to rise in the future due to an increase in the prevalence of obesity and diabetes. Current therapies for atherosclerosis mainly modulate lipid homeostasis and while successful at reducing the risk of a CVD-related death, they are associated with considerable residual risk and various side effects. There is, therefore, a need for alternative therapies aimed at regulating inflammation in order to reduce atherogenesis. This review will highlight the key role cytokines play during disease progression as well as potential therapeutic strategies to target them.
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK.
authors.forename: Joe We
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.affiliation: Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK.
authors.forename: Dipak P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Ramji
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines
keywords: atherosclerosis; cardiovascular disease; chemokines; cytokines; foam cells; inflammation; nanoparticles; neutralization