Targeting the chemokine network in atherosclerosis. (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yan, Yi; Thakur, Manovriti; van der Vorst, Emiel P.C.; Weber, Christian; Döring, Yvonne
• Is Part Of: Atherosclerosis. Volume 330(2022)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 106
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Chemokines -- Chemokine receptors -- Cardiovascular disease -- Atherosclerosis -- Biomarkers -- Gene analysis -- Mouse models; Arteriosclerosis -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.136
• DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2021.06.912
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9150

Abstract

Abstract: Chemokines and their receptors represent a potential target for immunotherapy in chronic inflammation. They comprise a large family of cytokines with chemotactic activity, and their cognate receptors are expressed on all cells of the body. This network dictates leukocyte recruitment and activation, angiogenesis, cell proliferation and maturation. Dysregulation of chemokine and chemokine receptor expression as well as function participates in many pathologies including cancer, autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation. In atherosclerosis, a lipid-driven chronic inflammation of middle-sized and large arteries, chemokines and their receptors participates in almost all stages of the disease from initiation of fatty streaks to mature atherosclerotic plaque formation. Atherosclerosis and its complications are the main driver of mortality and morbidity in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Hence, exploring new fields of therapeutic targeting of atherosclerosis is of key importance. This review gives an overview of the recent advances on the role of key chemokines and chemokine receptors in atherosclerosis, addresses chemokine-based biomarkers at biochemical, imaging and genetic level in human studies, and highlights the clinial trials targeting atherosclerosis. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Chemokine (receptors) are important modifiers of atherosclerosis. Chemokine (receptors) could be important biomarkers or imaging tracers in human CVD. Genetic alterations in genes coding for chemokine (receptors) can be associated with different CVD risk. Clinical trials reveal therapeutic targeting options of chemokine (receptors) in human CVD.