I. E. Dumitriu and J. C. Kaski Pages 4159 - 4171 ( 13 )
The chronic inflammation process that characterises atherosclerosis involves both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Several lines of evidence have recently highlighted pivotal roles for T and B lymphocytes – cells that belong to the adaptive immune system – in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. In this review, we summarise the current knowledge on the roles of adaptive immune responses in atherosclerosis and present our views on how a better understanding of these immune mechanisms could shape future therapies to slow down or even prevent this disease.
Adaptive immune response,T cells,B cells,atherosclerosis,metallo-proteinases (MMPs),acute coronary syndrome (ACS),macrophages,monoclonal antibody,rheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus
, Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, Division of Clinical Sciences, St. George's University of London, Cranmer Terrace, SW17 0RE, London, UK.