Role for TNF in atherosclerosis? Lessons from autoimmune disease

McKellar, G. E., McCarey, D. W., Sattar, N. and McInnes, I. B. (2009) Role for TNF in atherosclerosis? Lessons from autoimmune disease. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 6(6), pp. 410-417. (doi: 10.1038/nrcardio.2009.57) (PMID:19421244)

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Abstract

Inflammatory pathways have been implicated in the initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Accelerated atherosclerosis has been described in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, disproportionate to individuals' detectable traditional vascular risk factors. This finding suggests that other pathways associated with inflammation might account for increased vascular risk in such diseases. Highly specific biologic agents can precisely block the activity of cytokines generated during inflammatory cascades; the effects of these inflammatory moieties on vascular physiology and overall risk of cardiovascular events has been directly evaluated. This Review summarizes key epidemiologic, physiologic and model data, which together suggest that tumor necrosis factor, a pivotal cytokine in the inflammatory cascade, is directly involved in vascular pathophysiology and that its inhibition might confer an overall advantage to the recipient. Moreover, such data obtained in chronic inflammatory diseases likely have relevance to primary atherosclerosis.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:McInnes, Professor Iain and McCarey, Dr David and Sattar, Professor Naveed
Authors: McKellar, G. E., McCarey, D. W., Sattar, N., and McInnes, I. B.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Nature Reviews Cardiology
Publisher:Nature Publishing Group
ISSN:1759-5002
ISSN (Online):1759-5010

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