Thematic review series: The Immune System and Atherogenesis. Immune function in atherogenesis

Abstract

In this overview to a new thematic series on the immune system and atherogenesis, I provide a very brief summary of current conceptions of atherogenesis, of the innate and adaptive immune systems, and of the participation of the latter in atherogenesis, with particular emphasis on studies of the involvement of the immune system in atherosclerosis reported in the last 2 years. This is followed by a short outline of the eight reviews that will make up this thematic series. The overview is concluded with some caveats that should be considered in the analysis of atherosclerosis in experimental animals. -Getz, G. S. The immune system in atherogenesis. J. Lipid Res. 2005. 46: 1-10.

Bridging the innate and adaptive immune systems

“…Yet, the adaptive immune system is not required for the development of pronounced atherosclerosis (9). This places heavy emphasis on the role of the innate system in atherosclerosis.…”

The Lamina Adventitia Is the Major Site of Immune Cell Accumulation in Standard Chow-Fed Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice

“…Experiments spanning the entire life until old age may help to delineate age-related mechanisms of atherogenesis. 21,22 Most studies related to adaptive immunity of atherosclerosis focused on characterization of intima lesions though adventitial inflammation may participate in arterial wall pathology 3,7,23,24 and a role of the adventitia in atherogenesis has also received attention. [25][26][27] However, little information is available on adventitia inflammation and immunity in hyperlipidemic mice as a function of age.…”

TNF-alpha stimulates the ACAT1 expression in differentiating monocytes to promote the CE-laden cell formation

“…TNFa participates in every step of the inflammation process (14)(15)(16). Most of the molecular actions of TNFa on gene expression depend on the NF-kB pathway (17).…”