Neural reflex control of vascular inflammation

A S Caravaca; M Centa; A L Gallina; L Tarnawski; P S Olofsson

doi:10.1186/s42234-020-0038-7

Neural reflex control of vascular inflammation

Bioelectron Med. 2020 Jan 31:6:3. doi: 10.1186/s42234-020-0038-7. eCollection 2020.

Authors

A S Caravaca¹, M Centa^{1

2}, A L Gallina¹, L Tarnawski¹, P S Olofsson^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ 1Laboratory of Immunobiology, Center for Bioelectronic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
² 2Center for Biomedical Science and Bioelectronic Medicine, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY 11030 USA.

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease that underlies myocardial infarction and stroke. Efficacious treatment for hyperlipidemia and hypertension has significantly reduced morbidity and mortality in cardiovascular disease. However, atherosclerosis still confers a considerable risk of adverse cardiovascular events. In the current mechanistic understanding of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, inflammation is pivotal both in disease development and progression. Recent clinical data provided support for this notion and treatment targeting inflammation is currently being explored. Interestingly, neural reflexes regulate cytokine production and inflammation. Hence, new technology utilizing implantable devices to deliver electrical impulses to activate neural circuits are currently being investigated in treatment of inflammation. Hopefully, it may become possible to target vascular inflammation in cardiovascular disease using bioelectronic medicine. In this review, we discuss neural control of inflammation and the potential implications of new therapeutic strategies to treat cardiovascular disease.

Publication types

Review