MSC - targets for atherosclerosis therapy

Atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the wall of large- and medium-sized arteries, is the most common pathological process leading to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The hallmark lesion in atherosclerosis is the atherosclerotic plaque. Immune dysregulation and inflammation are key contributors to the development of an atherosclerotic plaque and its progression to acute coronary syndromes. Atherosclerotic plaques consist of necrotic cores, calcified regions, modified lipids, and predominantly inflammatory cell infiltrates. All phases of atherosclerosis are regulated by inflammatory mechanisms which affect immune cell function, endothelial activation, and metabolic parameters [1]. Recognition of the pivotal contribution of inflammation in atherosclerosis opened up a new treatment paradigm: the possibility to mitigate CVD burden through immune modulation [2]. Therapies targeting inflammatory pathways (e.g. pro-inflammatory cytokine inhibitors, anti-metabolites, leukotriene inhibitors) are currently under investigation in pre-clinical and clinical studies