[Current aspects of pathogenesis of atherosclerosis]

The development of atherosclerotic plaques is assessed as a result of interaction between modified apoprotein-B-containing lipoproteins and the cells of a vascular wall. The immune inflammation in atherosclerosis is considered, on the one hand, as a result of sensibilization to the modified lipoproteins, and, on the other, as a protective-adaptive reaction directed at the elimination of atherogenic lipoproteins from the vascular wall. The author's approaches to the treatment of atherosclerosis are based on the pathogenesis taking into consideration the role of macrophages in the lipid elimination from the plaques.