title: Targeting T cells to treat atherosclerosis: odyssey from bench to bedside.
abstract: More than 150 years from the initial description of inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques, randomized clinical trials to test anti-inflammatory therapies in atherosclerosis have recently been initiated. Lymphocytes and macrophages are main participants in the inflammatory response in atherosclerosis. T lymphocytes operate mainly by exerting strong influences on the function of many cells in the immune system and beyond, and co-ordinating their interactions. Importantly, T lymphocytes are not a homogenous population, but include several subsets with specialized functions that can either promote or suppress inflammation. The interactions between these T-lymphocyte subsets have critical consequences on the course and outcome of inflammation. The complexity of the inflammatory response in atherosclerosis poses significant challenges on translating experimental findings into clinical therapies and makes the journey from bench to bedside an arduous one. Here, we summarize recent advances on the role of CD4(+) T cells in the inflammatory process in atherosclerosis and discuss potential therapies to modulate these lymphocytes that may provide future breakthroughs in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bullenkamp
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
authors.forename: Sip
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dinkla
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK.
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kaski
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular and Cell Sciences Research Institute, St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK i.dumitriu@sgul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Ingrid E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Dumitriu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000187:drug effects
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Immune response; Immunomodulation; Inflammation; T lymphocytes