The role of inflammation, humoral and cell mediated autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has not been well defined and many questions remain unanswered. Many studies have discussed the importance of inflammation as the first step in promoting endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.The association of inflammatory markers such as fibrinogen and C reactive protein (CRP) with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular clinical events reinforces the pivotal role that inflammation plays in the atherosclerotic process.The humoral and cellular autoimmune response against antigens expressed in the endothelium and the greater prevalence of atherosclerosis in immune-mediated rheumatic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) strongly suggest the involvement of autoimmunity in the atherosclerotic process. The role of inflammation and autoimmune responses in atherosclerosis are discussed in order to better understand their close link on its pathogenesis.