Innate immune memory in cardiometabolic disease

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Cardiovascular Disease Research
• Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

• Low-grade systemic inflammation is central to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Obesity and metabolic complications induce lasting inflammatory changes in innate immune cells and progenitors, promoting atherosclerosis.
• Myeloid cell activation plays a critical role in these inflammatory processes.

Approach:

• This review examines the mechanisms of 'trained immunity' in innate immune cells.
• Discusses how short-term exposure to endogenous ligands causes long-term functional, epigenetic, and metabolic reprogramming.
• Focuses on monocytes and macrophages as key players in trained immunity induction.

Key Points:

• Inappropriate trained immunity leads to hyperinflammatory and proatherogenic changes in monocytes and macrophages.
• These changes are significant contributors to the development of atherosclerosis and CVDs.
• Identifies specific immune cells and molecular pathways involved in trained immunity.

Conclusions:

• Understanding trained immunity mechanisms offers novel therapeutic targets for CVD prevention and treatment.
• Targeting innate immune cell reprogramming could combat atherosclerosis.
• Future research will focus on pharmacological interventions for CVDs.