[Agents inducing cell death of the vascular wall]

Arterial wall is constituted by endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. A number of agents are capable of inducing damages in these cells leading either to apoptosis or necrosis involved in various pathologies. Such agents are constituted by: bacterial endotoxins, mediators and modulators of immunitary and/or inflammatory systems, drugs, reactive oxygen metabolites, free radicals, cholesterol oxidation derivatives included or not in lipoproteins. The study of the mechanisms of action implied in cell death would permit a better understanding of vascular diseases and open new therapeutic perspectives.