The autoimmune origin of atherosclerosis

C Blasi - Atherosclerosis, 2008 - Elsevier
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. Many studies and observations suggest
that it could be caused by an immune reaction against autoantigens at the endothelial level,
the most relevant of which are oxidized LDL and heat shock proteins (HSP) 60/65.
Endothelial dysfunction plays a fundamental role. The first antigen is related to the increased
leakage and oxidation of LDL; the second to cellular reaction to stress. Experimental and
clinical observations confirm the pathogenetic role of these antigens. Both innate and …