T-cell co-stimulators as anti-inflammatory targets for atherosclerotic disease

Future Cardiol. 2006 Mar;2(2):187-95. doi: 10.2217/14796678.2.2.187.

Abstract

Currently, most pharmacological therapies for atherosclerosis rely on lowering plasma low-density lipoprotein levels. Several ongoing clinical trials are testing the possibility of reducing atherosclerosis with drugs that raise plasma high-density lipoprotein levels and/or promote high-density lipoprotein-mediated protective functions. Atherosclerosis can also be treated by targeting inflammatory cells. Recent studies have shown that atherosclerosis is primarily an inflammatory disease and that immune cells, particularly T cells, are found in atherosclerotic lesions throughout the early and late stages. Therefore, therapies that modulate T-cell co-stimulators might slow down the atherosclerosis process by inhibiting T-cell-mediated inflammation.