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(Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 2001;21:1876.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.

Brief Reviews

Immune Mechanisms in Atherosclerosis

Göran K. Hansson

From the Center for Molecular Medicine and the Department of Medicine at Karolinska Hospital, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

Correspondence to Göran K. Hansson, Center for Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Karolinska Institute, SE-17176, Stockholm, Sweden. E-mail Goran.Hansson{at}cmm.ki.se

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Its lesions are filled with immune cells that can orchestrate and effect inflammatory responses. In fact, the first lesions of atherosclerosis consist of macrophages and T cells. Unstable plaques are particularly rich in activated immune cells, suggesting that they may initiate plaque activation. We have seen a rapid increase in the understanding of the mechanisms that govern the recruitment, differentiation, and activation of immune cells in atherosclerosis. Experimental research has identified several candidate antigens, and there are encouraging data suggesting that immune modulation as well as immunization can reduce the progression of the disease. This review provides an overview of our current understanding of the role of immune mechanisms in atherosclerosis.

Key Words: atherosclerosis • pathophysiology • cell biology • cytokines