Cells, cytokines and cellular immunity in the pathogenesis of fibroproliferative vasculopathies

Abstract

Atherosclerosis and restenosis are the result of vascular injury followed by an inflammatory and fibroproliferative response that involves a large number of growth factors, cytokines, and cellular elements. Platelet activation and leukocyte recruitment into the arterial intima play a crucial role, initiating a whole spectrum of reactions leading to vascular smooth muscle cell hyperplasia and intimal migration. The roles of macrophages and lymphocytes and mast cells as mediators of inflammation and immune response is discussed, as are the roles of growth factors and cytokines. New light on the 'old' problems will help us to devise newer and better therapeutic strategies to combat these clinical entities.Key words: atherosclerosis, cellular immunity, cytokines, growth factors, intimal hyperplasia, mast cells, restenosis, vasculopathies.