Title:Vascular Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease: Is Immune System Protective or Bystander?
Volume: 27
Issue: 18
Author(s): Khalid Muhammad, Mohammed A. Ayoub and Rabah Iratni*
Affiliation:
- Department of Biology, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain,United Arab Emirates
Keywords:
Cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, T cells, B cells, dendritic cells, lipoproteins.
Abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Chronic atherosclerosis
induced vascular inflammation and perturbation of lipid metabolism is believed to be a major cause of
CVD. Interplay of innate and adaptive Immune system has been interwined with various risk factors associated
with the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis in CVD. A large body of evidence indicates a correlation
between immunity and atherosclerosis. Retention of plasma lipoproteins in arterial subendothelial wall triggers
the T helper type 1 (Th1) cells and monocyte-derived macrophages to form atherosclerotic plaques. In the present
review, we will discuss the pathogenesis of CVD in relation to atherosclerosis with a particular focus on
pro-atherogenic role of immune cells. Recent findings have also suggested anti-atherogenic roles of different B
cell subsets. Therapeutic approaches to target atherosclerosis risk factors have reduced the mortality, but a need
exists for the novel therapies to treat arterial vascular inflammation. These insights into the immune pathogenesis
of atherosclerosis can lead to new targeted therapeutics to abate cardiovascular mortality and morbidity.