Interferons as Essential Modulators of Atherosclerosis

If you have atherosclerosis what is your doctor doing about it?
Do you want the lawnmower?
http://www.articlecity.com/videos/health/Lawnmower-For-Clogged-Arteries-175286465.php
Or Drano? I would be worried about this, sloughing off chunks
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=26404
Or conventional?
http://video.answers.com/learn-about-coronary-bypass-surgery-286302728

Or maybe something in this latest research?
http://atvb.ahajournals.org/content/35/7/1579.abstract?etoc

1. Marieke C.S. Boshuizen,
2. Menno P.J. de Winther

+ Author Affiliations

1. From the Experimental Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

1. Correspondence to Menno P.J. de Winther, PhD, Experimental Vascular Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. E-mail m.dewinther@amc.uva.nl

Abstract

Interferons (IFNs) are key regulators of both innate and adaptive immune responses. The family of IFN cytokines can be divided into 3 main subtypes of which type I and type II IFNs are most well-defined. IFNs are known to be important mediators in atherosclerosis. Evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies shows that the IFNs are generally proatherosclerotic. However, their role in atherosclerosis is complex, with distinct roles for these cytokines throughout different stages of the disease. In this review, we will discuss the current knowledge on the role of type I and type II IFNs in atherosclerosis development, specifically focusing on their role in endothelial activation, cell recruitment, foam cell formation, and regulation of apoptosis. Furthermore, we will discuss whether IFNs could be considered as new molecular targets for therapeutic intervention in atherosclerosis.