The two faces of Interleukin-17A in atherosclerosis Interleukin-17A and atherosclerosis.

The two faces of Interleukin-17A in atherosclerosis Interleukin-17A and atherosclerosis. Curr Drug Targets. 2016 Dec 29; Authors: Akhavanpoor M, Akhavanpoor H, Gleissner CA, Wangler S, Doesch AO, Katus HA, Erbel C Abstract A complex network of different cytokines and chemokines modulate atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory disease. Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) is expressed by different leukocyte subsets such as CD4+IL-17+ T cells (Th17), γδ T cells, natural killer cells, natural killer T cells, and neutrophils. IL-17A plays an important role in host defense and is involved in the pathology of different autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Recent studies demonstrate an association of IL-17A with atherosclerosis. IL-17A seems to have primarily pro-inflammatory effects in atherogenesis, although there are partially controversial results in the literature. In the murine system, several studies indicate a pro-atherogenic role of IL-17A mediated by increased migration of leukocytes (especially macrophages) into atherosclerotic lesions, increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines as well as plaque destabilizing matrix-metalloproteinases using Apoe-/- and LDLr-/- mice. In contrast, three studies show atheroprotective effects of IL-17A mediated by downregulation of aortic VCAM-1 expression on endothelial cells and increased collagen production by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in LDLr-/- mice. In humans expressio...
Source: Current Drug Targets - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Curr Drug Targets Source Type: research