Humoral mechanisms of atherogenesis

Abstract

The concept that atherosclerosis is an autoimmune disease is no longer controversial. Attention has been paid to cellular immune response, but current research is now focused on the humoral component of this complex disease. Heat shock proteins, oxidized low-density lipoproteins, beta2-glycoprotein 1, cardiolipins, and, more recently, high-density lipoproteins have been considered to be autoantigens that play a part in atherogenesis. The characterization and understanding of the mechanisms associated with the presence of these antigens and their respective autoantibodies might contribute to elucidating the atherosclerotic process. In the near future, immune modulation might constitute a very effective therapy of atherosclerosis.