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Regulatory T cells: getting to the heart of the matter
Author(s) -
Nilsson J.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.625
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1365-2796
pISSN - 0954-6820
DOI - 10.1111/joim.12445
Subject(s) - inflammation , medicine , immune system , fibrous cap , acquired immune system , myocardial infarction , immunology , extracellular matrix , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Inflammation in the arterial intima is a key pathogenic mechanism in atherosclerosis and the development of acute cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke [1]. The major cause of this inflammation is accumulation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles in the arterial extracellular matrix where they become oxidized and release pro-inflammatory lipid metabolites. The vascular inflammatory response may initially help to clear the oxidized LDL, but continuous exposure to these oxidized particles will lead to activation of fibrous repair processes and development of atherosclerotic plaques. If plaque inflammation is not properly resolved, the fibrous components become degraded, which increases the risk of plaque rupture and thrombotic occlusion of the artery.