[Atherosclerosis as an inflammatory process. Potential role of adhesion molecules in development of atherosclerosis]

Adherence of monocytes and their subsequent migration into intima appears to be important early event in the formation of foam cell rich atherosclerotic lesion, both in humans and experimental animals. There is increasing evidence that vascular endothelial cells play an active role in these process. In this paper, current knowledge about adhesion molecules presented on the surface of the endothelial cells has been summarized and their role in adhesion and migration or leucocyte both in inflammation and atherosclerosis was characterized. Current concept of pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been presented, emphasizing the similarities of the mechanism involved to those in inflammation.