Aukrust Pål, Otterdal Kari, Yndestad Arne, Sandberg Wiggo J, Smith Camilla, Ueland Thor, Øie Erik, Damås Jan K, Gullestad Lars, Halvorsen Bente
Rikshospitalet University Hospital, N-0027 Oslo, Norway.
Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2008 Jun;10(3):236-43. doi: 10.1007/s11883-008-0037-8.
Although the pathogenic role of T cells in atherogenesis is well established, the function of the various T-cell subsets is far from clear. Whereas activation of the T-helper type 1 (Th1) subset promotes inflammatory and proatherogenic responses and activation of Th2 cells mediates both proatherogenic and antiatherogenic effects, the newly discovered regulatory T-cell subset seems to attenuate atherogenesis. However, the dynamics of T-cell response within the plaque are still poorly understood, and both antigen-dependent and antigen-independent stimuli may be involved in the expansion of T cells in atherosclerotic plaques. Nevertheless, the different nature of the various T-cell subsets and their complex role in atherogenesis underscore the need for future research in this field of atheroimmunology. This research is not only of interest for the basic research field, but may also have relevance for clinical cardiology, potentially leading to new targets for therapy in atherosclerotic disorders.
尽管T细胞在动脉粥样硬化形成中的致病作用已得到充分证实，但各种T细胞亚群的功能仍远未明确。1型辅助性T细胞（Th1）亚群的激活会促进炎症和促动脉粥样硬化反应，而Th2细胞的激活则介导促动脉粥样硬化和抗动脉粥样硬化两种作用，新发现的调节性T细胞亚群似乎能减轻动脉粥样硬化的发生。然而，斑块内T细胞反应的动态变化仍知之甚少，抗原依赖性和抗原非依赖性刺激都可能参与动脉粥样硬化斑块中T细胞的扩增。尽管如此，各种T细胞亚群的不同性质及其在动脉粥样硬化形成中的复杂作用突出了未来在动脉粥样硬化免疫学这一领域开展研究的必要性。这项研究不仅对基础研究领域具有吸引力，也可能与临床心脏病学相关，有望为动脉粥样硬化疾病带来新的治疗靶点。
