Opportunities for an atherosclerosis vaccine: From mice to humans

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Immunology
• Vaccinology

Background:

• Atherosclerosis, a primary cause of global mortality from cardiovascular diseases (CVD), involves complex metabolic and immune interactions.
• Despite statin therapy, significant residual inflammatory risk persists in CVD patients.
• Inflammation and adaptive immune responses critically influence atherosclerosis development, with roles that can be protective or detrimental.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status and future opportunities for developing a human atherosclerosis vaccine.
• To explore immunomodulatory interventions, identified immune targets, and immunization strategies for atherosclerosis.
• To discuss clinical trials and optimization strategies for human atherosclerosis vaccines.

Main Methods:

• Review of immunomodulatory therapies and immune targets in atherosclerosis.
• Analysis of pre-clinical immunization strategies in animal models.
• Examination of clinical trial data and optimization approaches for human vaccines.

Main Results:

• Several immunomodulatory interventions have been tested for atherosclerosis.
• Key immune targets and immunization strategies have been identified through pre-clinical and clinical research.
• Past and ongoing clinical trials are evaluating the safety and efficacy of atherosclerosis vaccines.

Conclusions:

• Vaccination presents a viable strategy to induce protective adaptive immunity against atherosclerosis.
• Boosting anti-atherogenic humoral and T regulatory cell responses can mitigate residual inflammatory risks.
• Optimizing antigen selection, formulation, dose, and delivery is crucial for effective human atherosclerosis vaccines.