Cellular signals in atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a complex, incompletely understood process involving several cell types, including smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and platelets, and the signals between them. Atherosclerotic lesions result from an excessive inflammatory fibroproliferative response to various forms of insult to the endothelium and smooth muscle of the artery wall. Numerous growth regulatory molecules/factors participate in this process. This article reviews the atherosclerotic process and provides new scientific insights into the prevention and treatment of this disease. The implications for nursing are described.

C-Reactive Protein, Stroke, and Statins

“…It is commonly recognized that low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) initiate atherosclerosis when they come in contact with monocytes/macrophages and T lymphocytes in the intimal layer of the arterial wall. [4][5][6][7] CRP may be involved in the earliest stages of atherosclerosis. Pasceri et al showed in their laboratory experiments that CRP causes the upregulation of adhesion receptors on intimal endothelial cells and promotes chemotaxis, recruiting both macrophages and T lymphocytes.…”

“…3 The inflammatory response is a complex interaction of cells, cytokines, hemodynamics, and local and systemic responses. [4][5][6][7] Insight into the role of CRP may be useful for the healthcare professional in promoting self-care and disease prevention.…”

Acute Effect of MCRC on Selected Blood Parameters - A Placebo-controlled Acute Clinical Study

“…In addition, MCP-1 contributes to development of cardiovascular conditions [56] including heart failure [57]. Similarly, IFN-α is important in cardiovascular conditions [58,59] and also plays an important role in anti-viral defense, especially against Hepatitis virus type C and B [60][61][62], it contributes to the modulation of inflammatory conditions [58], has an anti-cancer effect [63,64] and plays an important role in the influenza infection process [65].…”

Role of interleukins in atherogenesis

“…Cytokines exert both pro-and antiatherogenic actions [5]. These factors constitute an endless list of which well documented cytokines with their cell(s) of origin are listed in Table 1 [56][57][58][59][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67].…”