REVIEW: The Role of Cytokines in the Development of Atherosclerosis

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A. R. Fatkhullina, I. O. Peshkova, and E. K. Koltsova^*

Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, USA; E-mail: Ekaterina.Koltsova@fccc.edu

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received May 31, 2016; Revision received August 1, 2016

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Atherosclerosis contributes to the development of many cardiovascular diseases, which remain the leading cause of death in developed countries. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of large and medium-sized arteries. It is caused by dyslipidemia and mediated by both innate and adaptive immune responses. Inflammation is a key factor at all stages of atherosclerosis progression. Cells involved in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis were shown to be activated by soluble factors, cytokines, that strongly influence the disease development. Pro-inflammatory cytokines accelerate atherosclerosis progression, while anti-inflammatory cytokines ameliorate the disease. In this review, we discuss the latest findings on the role of cytokines in the development and progression of atherosclerosis.

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KEY WORDS: cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, inflammation, immune cells, adhesion molecules, cytokines

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297916110134

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