Inflammatory Disease (4) Atherogenesis and Inflammation

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a lipid deposition disease that eventually leads to myocardial infarction, stroke, and ischemic gangrene. Furthermore, it is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by smooth muscle cell proliferation, apoptosis, necrosis, fibrosis, and local inflammation. The atherosclerotic process is initiated when cholesterol-containing low-density lipoproteins accumulate in the intima and thereby activate the endothelium. Leukocyte adhesion molecules and chemokines contribute to monocyte recruitment, which in turn deteriorates atherosclerosis. Therefore, inflammation plays a key role in all stages of atherosclerosis progression. Anti-inflammatory cytokines ameliorate the disease, whereas pro-inflammatory cytokines accelerate atherosclerosis progression. Inflammatory markers are widely used to control the disease, and anti-inflammatory molecules are therapeutic targets for atherosclerotic diseases. Here, we review the potential role of the inflammatory system in accelerated atherosclerosis of cardiovascular diseases and several endocrine disorders and address drug discovery based on anti-inflammatory strategies in these diseases.