Potential role of dendritic cells for progression of atherosclerotic lesions.

Atherosclerosis is a lipid related chronic inflammatory disease in which immune mechanisms play a pivotal part. Its lesion is filled with large numbers of immune cells. In 1995 dendritic cells (DCs) were identified in atherosclerotic plaques and thought to play an important part in atherogenesis. DCs express MHCI and ll, HLA-DR, CD1a, ICAM-1 and VCAM1 on their surfaces, and this explains their unique ability to activate naive T cells. The risk factors for atherosclerosis are the factors for DCs' activation and migration. Mature DCs are capable of presenting antigen to T cells, which play an important part in progression of disease. Statin and diltiazem have been shown to protect endothelial function by suppressing the function of DCs and play an important part in preventing atherosclerosis.