Th17/Treg imbalance and atherosclerosis

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is nowadays recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease of large arteries. In recent years, cellular and molecular biology studies on atherosclerosis confirmed that the occurrence and development are related to inflammation and autoimmunity. A variety of immune cells, cytokines, and transcription factors are involved in this process. Current studies found that T helper cell 17, regulatory T cells, and their cytokines play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and vulnerable plaque rupture. Here, we provide a review of the up-to-date applications of T helper cell 17, regulatory T cells, cytokines, and their balance in the prognosis and therapy of atherosclerosis.