The role of T-helper cells in atherosclerosis

Cardiovasc Hematol Agents Med Chem. 2011 Jan;9(1):25-41. doi: 10.2174/187152511794182819.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is rapidly gaining recognition as an inflammatory disease showing contribution from innate and adaptive immunity pathways towards disease initiation and progression. Components of adaptive immunity especially T cells, are shown to be involved in atherogenesis and subsets of T cells are known to drive/ dampen inflammatory processes in atherosclerosis. However, the regulatory balance between the T cell subsets remains unclear. In this review, we summarize the role of T helper cells Th1, 2, 3 and 17, and regulatory cells Treg in atherosclerosis by studying the cytokines involved in Th cell functioning. We further examine the diverse roles of T helper cells for regulating the progression of atherosclerosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / immunology*
  • Cytokines / immunology*
  • Humans
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*

Substances

  • Cytokines