Role of interleukins in atherogenesis

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that atherosclerosis may be a chronic inflammatory condition involving a complex multifactorial process, resulting in a fibroproliferative response to various forms of injurious stimuli to the arterial wall. The changes in the arterial wall lead to a clinically significant event when the atherosclerotic plaque ruptures and the thrombosis takes place. The potential interactions of cells, cytokines, and growth regulatory molecules in the atherosclerotic lesion present numerous opportunities for modulating lesion formation and progression. This article reviews the role interleukins that are released from both immune and non-immune cells of vascular wall may play on the process of atherogenesis. It is speculated that these may serve as potential targets for therapeutic intervention.