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Alves Pereira I, Ferreira Borba E |
Swiss Med Wkly 2008;138(37–38):534–539
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| Original article Peer reviewed article |
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| Summary The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has not been well defined and many questions remain unanswered. Many studies have discussed the importance of inflammation as the first step in promoting endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. The association of inflammatory markers such as fibrinogen and C reactive protein (CRP) with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular/cerebrovascular clinical events reinforces the pivotal role that inflammation plays in the atherosclerotic process. The humoral and cellular autoimmune response against antigens expressed in the endothelium and the greater prevalence of atherosclerosis in immune-mediated rheumatic diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) strongly suggest the involvement of autoimmunity in the atherosclerotic process. The role of inflammation and autoimmune responses in atherosclerosis are discussed in order to better understand their close link on its pathogenesis. |
Assistant Professor, Rheumatology Division, Federal University of Santa Catarina – Brazil Assistant Professor, Rheumatology Division, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo – Brazil |
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Copyright © 2008 EMH Swiss Medical Publishers Ltd. |
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