Lipides peroxydés et réaction immuno-inflammatoire dans l’athérosclérose

Inserm U626, Faculté de Médecine Timone, 27, Bd. Jean Moulin, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05 04 91 25 43 36

^* gilles.nalbone@medecine.univ-mrs.fr

Abstract

Inflammation is now considered as a critical process that closely escorts lipid disturbances in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Oxidative process, particularly oxidation of LDL, by creating neo-epitopes, is a key initiator of the inflammatory reaction as it triggers both innate and adaptive immunity. This further induces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the dysregulation of endothelial and hemostatic functions leading to atherosclerotic plaque growth and rupture. The specific role of some cytokines and receptors in the dysregulation of the Th1/Th2 response is now emerging to better approach the complex mechanisms inducing disturbances of the immunoinflammatory process in atherosclerosis.