Innate Immune Receptors in Atherosclerosis

Abstract

The inflammatory response is an important process, aiming to restore tissue homeostasis following tissue injury or infection. Acute inflammation is a tightly controlled process. If an inflammatory stimulus persists or if normal immune function is perturbed, inflammation may become chronic. Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder involving components of both the innate and adaptive immune systems (Ross, 1999). The innate immune system provides the first line of defence against invading pathogens. Innate immune detection of pathogens relies on a set of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognise and respond to conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Growing evidence supports roles for PRRs in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. In this chapter, the agonists, signalling pathways, expression and functions of PRRs, in particular in reference to atherosclerosis, will be discussed. The potential therapeutic benefit of targeting PRRs for treatment of atherosclerosis will also be explored.