Immunomodulation of atherosclerosis: myth and reality

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease which displays features of immune activation both locally and systemically. In the present review, we discuss the evidence for immune activation in human disease and experimental models, and survey candidate antigens associated with atherosclerosis. Studies of atherosclerosis in genetic models of immunodeficiency are analysed, as well as immunomodulating therapies and immunization protocols. Based on recent research, it is concluded that immunomodulation represents an interesting approach to the development of new prevention and treatment methods for atherosclerosis.