Innate and Innate-Like Immune System in Hypertension and Vascular Injury

To describe the important role played by innate and innate-like immunity in the pathophysiology of hypertension and vascular injury.

Innate immune cells, such as neutrophils, dendritic cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and monocytes/macrophages and innate lymphoid cells such as natural killer cells and unconventional T lymphocytes like γδ T cells contribute to hypertensive mechanisms by priming adaptive immune cells, leading to the triggering of vascular inflammation and blood pressure elevation or alternatively protecting against vascular injury. Specifically, monocyte/macrophages and γδ T cells seem to play a crucial role in the initiation of hypertension via regulation of adaptive immunity. Innate and innate-like immunity play a leading role in the pathophysiology of hypertension. Recent advances in this field provide us clues for future therapeutic approaches.