PMID: 8960073Nov 1, 1996Paper

The role of inflammation in atherosclerosis

Israel Journal of Medical Sciences
A Blum, H I Miller

Abstract

The vascular endothelium serves as a dynamic interface between circulating blood elements and the interstitial tissues. As such, it communicates with cells in the vessel wall as well as with the surrounding tissue, sensing its environment and responding accordingly. The vasculature must maintain a delicate balance when initiating a functional response by producing both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators, vasoconstrictors and vasodilators, growth stimulators and inhibitors, and prothrombotic and anti-thrombogenic factors. Any response to injurious agents could lead to pathologic responses. One response to injury by the endothelium is the new or increased expression of surface receptors for immune elements. In atherosclerosis, the adhesion of monocytes and T cells to the endothelium is a key event triggered by some form of insult. Subsequent events include monocytic infiltration of the vessel wall, alterations in lipid metabolism, and the activation of these cells into foam cells. The presence of large numbers of foam cells in the intima may produce a high concentration of cytokines and growth factors within a localized area, extracellular matrix perturbations, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and ultimately platel...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Anti-inflammatory Treatments

A drug or substance that reduces inflammation (redness, swelling, and pain) in the body. Anti-inflammatory agents block certain substances in the body that cause inflammation and swelling. Discover the latest research on anti-inflammatory treatments here

Atherosclerosis Disease Progression

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of plaque on artery walls, causing stenosis which can eventually lead to clinically apparent cardiovascular disease. Find the latest research on atherosclerosis disease progression here.

Related Papers

Thrombosis and Haemostasis
Lina BadimonGemma Vilahur
La Revue du praticien
O ChappeyJ L Wautier
Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental
S Moore
Annali italiani di medicina interna : organo ufficiale della Società italiana di medicina interna
Anna Laura PasquiAlberto Auteri
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved