Immune response in Takayasu arteritis

Abstract

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is a vasculitis of the large arteries. The arterial wall, target of the immune reaction, is composed of vascular dendritic cells, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, which engage in an interaction with T cells and macrophages to, ultimately, cause luminal stenosis or aneurysmal wall damage of the vessel. A multitude of cytokines have been identified to increase in case of TAK and to be linked to disease activity. A better understanding of the physiopathological pathways and mechanisms involved, might enable a more tailored therapeutic approach in TAK.