[Back to Issue 11 ToC] [Back to Journal Contents] [Back to Biochemistry (Moscow) Home page]
[View Full Article] [Download Reprint (PDF)]

REVIEW: The Role of Cytokines in the Development of Atherosclerosis


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

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297916110134