Pro and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Networks in Atherosclerosis

Despite recent advances in prevention and treatment, atherosclerosis continues to account for significant morbidity and mortality in the western world. Atherosclerotic vascular disease is a chronic inflammatory process which involves multiple cell types in various stages of migration, proliferation, protein synthesis, and apoptosis. All of these cellular processes are initiated and mediated by an exquisitely regulated interplay of soluble factors termed cytokines, which are produced and recognized by both inflammatory and resident vascular cells. Many cytokines are produced and recognized by both immune and resident vascular cells; Endothelial and Vascular Smooth Muscle cells, allowing dynamic cross-talk between the two organ systems. There are more than 90 identified cytokines, which can be grouped into six classes, and any discussion of atherosclerosis must include a description of our current understanding of these key peptides. This chapter will review recent studies on those cytokines which have been identified as produced by and directly effecting dysfunction of resident vascular cells. Because atherosclerosis is primarily an inflammatory condition, particular emphasis is placed on pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines in development and progression of this disease. The cellular effects of these cytokines, as well as in vivo attempts to characterize the roles that these cytokines play in experimental atherosclerosis will be discussed.