[Immunological aspects of atherosclerosis].

The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis remains incompletely understood. Accumulation of oxidized lipoproteins (oxLDL) within the vascular wall drives a related immune response very early during the disease course. Such an immune response is self-amplified and eventually escapes from physiologic control mechanisms. Certain lymphocytes may become pathogenic. B cells play a protective role by producing antibodies able to neutralize oxLDL. Elucidation of the immune control mechanisms in atherosclerosis will open the way to new therapeutic perspectives.