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Molecular and cellular mechanisms of inflammation in atherosclerosis

Nicoleta-Monica Popa-Fotea1,2, Corina-Elena Ferdoschi1, Miruna-Mihaela Micheu2

  • 1Department 4 Cardio-Thoracic Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila," Bucharest, Romania.

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
|August 21, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Inflammation drives atherosclerosis, a complex disease. This review details how immune cells and mediators like cytokines activate pathways that promote plaque development and complications.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Immunology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a leading global cause of death, despite advances in revascularization treatments.
  • Inflammation is a central, multi-step process in the initiation, progression, and complications of atherosclerotic plaques.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the cell axis activation in atherosclerosis.
  • To elucidate specific mechanisms and pathways through which inflammation drives atherosclerosis.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of cellular and molecular mechanisms in atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of immune system involvement and mediator functions.

Main Results:

  • Immune system activation enhances pro-atherogenic functions of various cells (endothelial, smooth muscle, platelets).
  • Cytokines mediate inflammation by stimulating immune cells and further cytokine production.
  • Cell-to-cell interactions also contribute directly to atherosclerotic dynamics.

Conclusions:

  • Inflammation is a critical driver of atherosclerosis, involving complex cell-axis interactions.
  • Understanding these inflammatory pathways is key to developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Keywords:
acquired immune systematherosclerosisendothelial cellsinflammationinnate immune systemplateletssmooth muscle cells

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