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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Quantitative Analysis of Cellular Composition in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions of Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage-Tracing Mice
Published on: February 20, 2019
Drug-induced immunomodulation to affect the development and progression of atherosclerosis: a new opportunity?
Sylvia Heeneman1, Marjo M P C Donners, Lili Bai
1University of Maastricht, Department of Pathology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. s.heeneman@path.unimaas.nl
Abstract:
Inflammation and cytokine pathways are crucial for the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. In this review, the hypothesis that immunomodulatory drugs provide a possible therapeutic modality for cardiovascular disease is evaluated. Therefore, after a short overview of the specific inflammatory pathways involved in atherosclerosis, literature on the effect of several immunomodulatory drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, specific cyclooxygenase inhibitors and immunosuppressive drugs, used currently in the prevention of rejection after organ transplant, on the development and progression of atherosclerosis is reviewed. In addition, the pleiotropic immunomodulatory effect of two established cardiovascular drugs (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and statins) is discussed.
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