Erosion of the Atheroma: Wicked T Cells at the Culprit Site

There is a growing recognition of plaque erosion as a cause of acute coronary syndrome. This review aims to examine the potential involvement of T cells in this process.

Immune-vascular interactions have been identified in the development of plaque erosions. Up to one-third of eroded plaques show evidence of active immune infiltration, with the presence of T cells. We propose that microerosions may frequently occur in association with the infiltration of T cells and macrophages in early atherosclerotic lesions. Healing of erosions could trigger the deposition of excessive extracellular matrix. The pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic actions of T cells, along with reduced endothelial integrity and other mechanisms, may subsequently give rise to clinical symptoms. To gain a better understanding of the role of T cells in plaque erosion, it is crucial to develop improved models for conducting controlled experiments and to study atherosclerosis in younger individuals.