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Inflammatory pathways in atherosclerosis and acute coronary syndromes

J Plutzky1

  • 1Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 221 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. jplutzky@rics.bwh.harvard.edu

The American Journal of Cardiology
|November 6, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease involving immune cells and proteins. Targeting inflammation may reduce cardiovascular risk, heralding a new era in cardiovascular medicine.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Immunology
  • Inflammation Biology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease.
  • Inflammatory cells (T cells, monocytes, macrophages) and proteins (cytokines, chemokines) play key roles.
  • Vascular cells contribute through inflammatory responses like adhesion molecule expression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis.
  • To identify proteins that predict cardiovascular risk.
  • To explore inflammation as a therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

  • Review of evidence from broad studies on atherosclerosis.
  • Identification of key inflammatory markers.
  • Analysis of therapeutic interventions targeting inflammation.

Main Results:

  • C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 are widely studied risk predictors.
  • Statins, ACE inhibitors, and PPAR ligands may reduce cardiovascular risk partly via anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Inflammation is a central mechanism in atherosclerosis progression and complications.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammation is integral to atherosclerosis pathogenesis and progression.
  • Biomarkers of inflammation hold predictive value for cardiovascular risk.
  • Targeting inflammation represents a promising therapeutic strategy in cardiovascular medicine.

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