Recent Advances in Vascular Inflammation
Recent Advances in Vascular Inflammation
Purpose of Review: Inflammatory vascular diseases are initiated and perpetuated by the interaction of immune cells with cells of the affected vessel wall. This is directed by a network of chemical messengers, which, in a state of vascular health, exist as balanced but opposing forces. Our understanding of this highly complex process has advanced significantly in the last several decades. The detection of vascular inflammation and monitoring of this activity have long been attempted in systemic vasculitis, and, more recently, in atherosclerosis. Markers of vascular inflammation used thus far have been of limited value; few provide both adequate sensitivity and specificity for any particular disease. New insights into the pathophysiology of vascular inflammation have identified other potential markers that may improve detection and monitoring of these conditions.
Recent Findings: Immunomodulatory mediators of the inflammatory cascade have been identified, and their roles are being defined. There are recent data that implicate various cytokines, proteases, adhesion molecules, and acute phase proteins as participants in the generation of vascular inflammation.
Conclusion: The pursuit of highly sensitive and specific markers of vascular inflammation has produced a wealth of information that has been instrumental in advancing our comprehension of this complex process. Further studies will establish the role of these new markers in the diagnosis, monitoring, and prognostication of inflammatory vascular disease.
Advances in our understanding of vascular inflammation have resulted in radical change in the approach to vascular diseases. With heightened awareness of the active role of the vessel, and its complex interactions with cytokines and immune cells, this concept unites disorders previously thought to be distinct. Our comprehension of atherosclerosis as a disease of vascular inflammation is directing a novel approach to its risk stratification and treatment. Further insight into the role of cytokines has also influenced the study and treatment of the vasculitides. This new perspective has identified mediators of inflammation that may prove useful as biomarkers for detection and monitoring of disease. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of several of the most studied and potentially relevant markers of vascular inflammation ( Table 1 ).
Purpose of Review: Inflammatory vascular diseases are initiated and perpetuated by the interaction of immune cells with cells of the affected vessel wall. This is directed by a network of chemical messengers, which, in a state of vascular health, exist as balanced but opposing forces. Our understanding of this highly complex process has advanced significantly in the last several decades. The detection of vascular inflammation and monitoring of this activity have long been attempted in systemic vasculitis, and, more recently, in atherosclerosis. Markers of vascular inflammation used thus far have been of limited value; few provide both adequate sensitivity and specificity for any particular disease. New insights into the pathophysiology of vascular inflammation have identified other potential markers that may improve detection and monitoring of these conditions.
Recent Findings: Immunomodulatory mediators of the inflammatory cascade have been identified, and their roles are being defined. There are recent data that implicate various cytokines, proteases, adhesion molecules, and acute phase proteins as participants in the generation of vascular inflammation.
Conclusion: The pursuit of highly sensitive and specific markers of vascular inflammation has produced a wealth of information that has been instrumental in advancing our comprehension of this complex process. Further studies will establish the role of these new markers in the diagnosis, monitoring, and prognostication of inflammatory vascular disease.
Advances in our understanding of vascular inflammation have resulted in radical change in the approach to vascular diseases. With heightened awareness of the active role of the vessel, and its complex interactions with cytokines and immune cells, this concept unites disorders previously thought to be distinct. Our comprehension of atherosclerosis as a disease of vascular inflammation is directing a novel approach to its risk stratification and treatment. Further insight into the role of cytokines has also influenced the study and treatment of the vasculitides. This new perspective has identified mediators of inflammation that may prove useful as biomarkers for detection and monitoring of disease. This review focuses on recent advances in our understanding of several of the most studied and potentially relevant markers of vascular inflammation ( Table 1 ).