Journal «Angiology and Vascular Surgery» • 

2005 • VOLUME 11 • №2

THE ROLE OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

V.P. Leskov, I.I. Zatevakhin
The State scientific Center – Institute of Immunology, RF Ministry of Public Health,
Chair of Surgical Diseases, Russian State Medical University,
Moscow, Russia

This paper is concerned with intracellular infections such as herpes virus, cytomegalovirus and Chlamydia pneumonia which may be implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. These viral and bacterial pathogens are regarded as potential causative factors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The authors support the hypothesis that these infections may induce endothelial injury. The paper reviews both direct and indirect immune system-mediated effect of the viruses indicated on the disease process and the potential role of killer cells in endothelial injury.

KEY WORDS: pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, intracellular infections.

P. 14

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