The Impact of Cytokines in Coronary Atherosclerotic Plaque: Current Therapeutic Approaches

Abstract

Coronary atherosclerosis is a chronic pathological process that involves inflammation together with endothelial dysfunction and lipoprotein dysregulation. Experimental studies during the past decades have established the role of inflammatory cytokines in coronary artery disease, namely interleukins (ILs), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interferon-γ, and chemokines. Moreover, their value as biomarkers in disease development and progression further enhance the validity of this interaction. Recently, cytokine-targeted treatment approaches have emerged as potential tools in the management of atherosclerotic disease. IL-1β, based on the results of the CANTOS trial, remains the most validated option in reducing the residual cardiovascular risk. Along the same line, colchicine was also proven efficacious in preventing major adverse cardiovascular events in large clinical trials of patients with acute and chronic coronary syndrome. Other commercially available agents targeting IL-6 (tocilizumab), TNF-α (etanercept, adalimumab, infliximab), or IL-1 receptor antagonist (anakinra) have mostly been assessed in the setting of other inflammatory diseases and further testing in atherosclerosis is required. In the future, potential targeting of the NLRP3 inflammasome, anti-inflammatory IL-10, or atherogenic chemokines could represent appealing options, provided that patient safety is proven to be of no concern.

Prognostic Value of Inflammatory Cytokines in Predicting Hospital Readmissions in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction

“…The level of serum cytokines is often used to reflect the body’s inflammatory state and inflammatory response bias. 18 , 19 It has been shown that cardiovascular disease was closely related to cytokines. Several studies have uncovered an association between CAD and cytokines.…”

The protective role of ginsenoside Rg3 in heart diseases and mental disorders

“…Inflammatory processes are associated with the initiation and progression of mental disorders ( Ben-Azu et al, 2022a ; Ben-Azu et al, 2023 ). Mental disorders may enhance the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-ɑ), which are associated with endothelial dysfunction and metabolic alterations ( Vaccarino et al, 2018 ; Misiak et al, 2022 ; Tsioufis et al, 2022 ; Chen et al, 2023 ). Inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and metabolic abnormalities frequently contribute to the pathogenesis of heart diseases.…”

Efficacy and safety of different dosing regimens of colchicine in patients with coronary artery disease: a network meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials

“…63 Undoubtedly, the adverse effects caused by higher dose will compromise its therapeutic benefits, therefore leading to the result that higher dose is inferior to lower dose in the therapeutic efficacy. Thus, based on the possible mechanisms of colchicine in exerting anti-inflammation, it is rational to extend the usage of colchicine from secondary prevention to primary prevention for cardiovascular diseases, especially low dose of colchicine 64 ; however, this hypothesis should be evaluated by future studies, such as an ongoing study registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. 65 Although our network meta-analysis suggested a significantly lower risk of recurrent MI in patients receiving low dose of colchicine and a numerically lower risk in cardioembolic stroke.…”