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Published on: November 17, 2017
Exploring immune checkpoints as potential therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis
Pascal J H Kusters1, Esther Lutgens1,2, Tom T P Seijkens1,2
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Experimental Vascular Biology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 CZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Atherosclerosis involves chronic inflammation fueled by immune cell interactions. Targeting immune checkpoint proteins, crucial for these interactions, offers novel therapeutic potential for cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Immunology
- Inflammation Biology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a major cause of death despite treatments for risk factors like high cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Chronic inflammation and immune cell interactions drive atherosclerosis development.
- Immune checkpoint proteins regulate immune cell interactions and are implicated in atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of immune checkpoint proteins in atherosclerosis.
- To explore therapeutic strategies targeting immune checkpoints for cardiovascular disease.
- To discuss challenges and novel approaches for immune checkpoint modulation in atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent insights into immune checkpoint proteins in atherosclerosis.
- Analysis of the therapeutic potential of immune checkpoint modulators in experimental atherosclerosis models.
- Discussion of challenges and novel strategies for targeting immune checkpoints in cardiovascular medicine.
Main Results:
- Immune checkpoint proteins play a critical role in immune cell interactions that promote atherogenesis.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting immune checkpoints show promise but are largely confined to experimental settings.
- Novel approaches are being developed to leverage immune checkpoint modulation for atherosclerosis treatment.
Conclusions:
- Immune checkpoint proteins are key players in the inflammatory pathways of atherosclerosis.
- Targeting immune checkpoints represents a promising, albeit challenging, therapeutic avenue for cardiovascular medicine.
- Further research is needed to translate the success of immune checkpoint modulators from oncology to atherosclerosis treatment.
Abstract:
In the past decades, the inflammatory nature of atherosclerosis has been well-recognized and despite the development of therapeutic strategies targeted at its classical risk factors such as dyslipidemia and hypertension, atherosclerosis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Additional strategies targeting the chronic inflammatory pathways underlying the development of atherosclerosis are therefore required. Interactions between different immune cells result in the secretion of inflammatory mediators, such as cytokines and chemokines, and fuel atherogenesis. Immune checkpoint proteins have a critical role in facilitating immune cell interactions and play an essential role in the development of atherosclerosis. Although the therapeutic potential of these molecules is well-recognized in clinical oncology, the use of immune checkpoint modulators in atherosclerosis is still limited to experimental models. Here, we review recent insights on the role of immune checkpoint proteins in atherosclerosis. Additionally, we explore the therapeutic potential and challenges of immune checkpoint modulating strategies in cardiovascular medicine and we discuss novel therapeutic approaches to target these proteins in atherosclerosis.
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