Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the artery wall. Atherosclerotic lesions contain monocytes, macrophages, smooth muscle cells and T lymphocytes. Here, we review the role of T-lymphocyte subsets in atherosclerosis. Among CD4+ T cells, Th1 cells are pro-atherogenic, Treg cells are athero-protective and the role of Th2 and Th17 cells remains unclear. The role of follicular helper T cells in atherosclerosis remains unknown, as is the role of CD8+ T cells. NKT cells bind glycolipid antigens and exert a pro-atherogenic role. The antigen specificity of T-cell responses in atherosclerosis is poorly understood. In order to enable antigen-specific prevention or therapy, a better understanding of these mechanisms is needed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | dxt043 |
Pages (from-to) | 615-622 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | International Immunology |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2013 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Atherosclerosis
- Inflammation
- T cell
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology