Churov Alexey V, Chegodaev Yegor S, Khotina Victoria A, Ofitserov Vladimir P, Orekhov Alexander N
Institute on Aging Research, Russian Gerontology Clinical Research Center, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, 129226 Moscow, Russia.
Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, 8 Baltiiskaya Street, 125315 Moscow, Russia.
Life (Basel). 2023 Sep 18;13(9):1931. doi: 10.3390/life13091931.
Atherosclerosis is an insidious vascular disease with an asymptomatic debut and development over decades. The aetiology and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis are not completely clear. However, chronic inflammation and autoimmune reactions play a significant role in the natural course of atherosclerosis. The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis involves damage to the intima, immune cell recruitment and infiltration of cells such as monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes into the inner layer of vessel walls, and the accumulation of lipids, leading to vascular inflammation. The recruited immune cells mainly have a pro-atherogenic effect, whereas CD4 regulatory T (Treg) cells are another heterogeneous group of cells with opposite functions that suppress the pathogenic immune responses. Present in low numbers in atherosclerotic plaques, Tregs serve a protective role, maintaining immune homeostasis and tolerance by suppressing pro-inflammatory immune cell subsets. Compelling experimental data suggest that various Treg cell-based approaches may be important in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Here we highlight the most recent advances in our understanding of the roles of FOXP3-expressing CD4 Treg cells in the atherogenic process and discuss potential translational strategies for the treatment of atherosclerosis by Treg manipulation.
动脉粥样硬化是一种隐匿性血管疾病，起病无症状，病程长达数十年。动脉粥样硬化的病因和发病机制尚不完全清楚。然而，慢性炎症和自身免疫反应在动脉粥样硬化的自然病程中起着重要作用。动脉粥样硬化的发病机制包括内膜损伤、免疫细胞募集以及单核细胞/巨噬细胞、中性粒细胞和淋巴细胞等细胞浸润到血管壁内层，脂质积聚，导致血管炎症。募集到的免疫细胞主要具有促动脉粥样硬化作用，而CD4调节性T（Treg）细胞是另一类具有相反功能的异质性细胞群，可抑制致病性免疫反应。Treg细胞在动脉粥样硬化斑块中数量较少，发挥着保护作用，通过抑制促炎免疫细胞亚群来维持免疫稳态和耐受。有力的实验数据表明，各种基于Treg细胞的方法在动脉粥样硬化治疗中可能具有重要意义。在此，我们重点介绍了对表达FOXP3的CD4 Treg细胞在动脉粥样硬化形成过程中作用的最新认识，并讨论了通过Treg细胞调控治疗动脉粥样硬化的潜在转化策略。
