Inflammation in atherosclerosis: Drivers, mechanisms and therapies

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Research
• Inflammation Biology
• Vascular Medicine

Background:

• Atherosclerosis is increasingly recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease, driven by lifestyle and metabolic factors.
• Vascular inflammation involves complex interactions between endothelial cells, macrophages, and immune cells within lesions.
• Biomarkers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein are emerging as key predictors of cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize current knowledge on inflammation's role in atherosclerosis.
• To review novel therapeutic strategies targeting vascular inflammation.
• To explore future directions for reducing residual cardiovascular risk.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review of recent studies on atherosclerosis and inflammation.
• Analysis of clinical trial data for anti-inflammatory therapies.
• Exploration of emerging technologies like organoids and high-throughput screening.

Main Results:

• Inflammation is a central driver of atherosclerosis, with significant predictive value beyond lipids.
• Combined lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory therapies improve outcomes.
• Novel approaches like enhancing resilience mechanisms show promise.
• Emerging technologies enhance drug development and preclinical modeling.

Conclusions:

• Targeting vascular inflammation is essential for managing atherosclerosis and reducing residual cardiovascular risk.
• Cholesterol-independent strategies require careful safety evaluation due to potential infection risks.
• Future research should focus on novel therapeutic targets and advanced preclinical models.