Regulatory T-cell immunity and its relevance to atherosclerosis

J Intern Med. 2008 May;263(5):489-99. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2008.01944.x.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall where both innate and adaptive immune responses contribute to disease initiation and progression. Recent studies from several groups suggest that subtypes of T cells, called regulatory T cells, previously shown to maintain immunological tolerance, inhibit the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Here, we review the current knowledge on the regulatory T-cell response and the major cytokines involved in its modulation in the context of atherosclerosis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD / immunology
  • Atherosclerosis / immunology*
  • Atherosclerosis / physiopathology
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / immunology
  • Immunity, Innate*
  • Interleukin-10 / immunology
  • Mice
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Cytokines
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Foxp3 protein, mouse
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Interleukin-10