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Review
. 2016 Nov;81(11):1358-1370.
doi: 10.1134/S0006297916110134.

The Role of Cytokines in the Development of Atherosclerosis

A R Fatkhullina  1 , I O Peshkova, E K Koltsova
Affiliations
Review

The Role of Cytokines in the Development of Atherosclerosis

A R Fatkhullina et al. Biochemistry (Mosc). 2016 Nov.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis contributes to the development of many cardiovascular diseases, which remain the leading cause of death in developed countries. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of large and medium-sized arteries. It is caused by dyslipidemia and mediated by both innate and adaptive immune responses. Inflammation is a key factor at all stages of atherosclerosis progression. Cells involved in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis were shown to be activated by soluble factors, cytokines, that strongly influence the disease development. Pro-inflammatory cytokines accelerate atherosclerosis progression, while anti-inflammatory cytokines ameliorate the disease. In this review, we discuss the latest findings on the role of cytokines in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Arterial cell wall is composed of three layers: intima (internal), media (intermediate), and adventitia (external). Healthy arterial wall is characterized by the presence of a small number of immune cells, mostly in the adventitia. b) Atherosclerosis progression is accompanied by the accumulation of various immune cells in the intima (atherosclerotic plaque) and adjacent adventitia. These immune cells produce cytokines that promote local inflammation in the vascular wall, resulting in the growth of atherosclerotic plaque and eventually its rupture
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