慢性炎症、自身免疫和动脉粥样硬化

Chronic Inflammation, Autoimmunity and Atherosclerosis

动脉粥样硬化是一种炎症性疾病。在粥样斑块中存在许多免疫细胞,而且在不稳定斑块中尤为丰富。近年来对动脉粥样硬化中免疫细胞的聚集、分化和激活有了更深入的了解。流行病学研究发现了多种与其相关的病毒和细菌感染。通过研究初步确定了几个自身性抗原,并提出了自身免疫假说。根据这些新的认识,提出了免疫调节和预防接种等心血管疾病的新的预防和治疗策略。这必将极大地提高对动脉粥样硬化的研究和防治水平。

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. There are many immune cells filled in atherosclerotic lesions, particularly in unstable plaques. The understanding on the recruitment, differentiation and activation of immune cells in atherosclerosis have been expanded in recent years. Epidemiological surveys show many associated viral and bacterial infections. Preliminary studies have identified several autoanti-gens and raised the ' autoimmune hypothesis'. Based on this novel viewpoint, the immunomodulation and immunization have been taken as the new strategies for prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. This will markedly improve our research level and identify new therapeutic targets in atherosclerosis.