Interferon gamma: a master regulator of atherosclerosis

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 2009 Apr;20(2):125-35. doi: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2008.11.003.

James E McLaren ¹, Dipak P Ramji

Affiliations

Affiliation

1 Cardiff School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK. [email protected]

PMID: 19041276 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2008.11.003

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is characterized by the development of fibrotic plaques in the arterial wall. The disease exhibits a complex aetiology and its progression is influenced by a number of environmental and genetic risk factors. The cytokine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), a key regulator of immune function, is highly expressed in atherosclerotic lesions and has emerged as a significant factor in atherogenesis. Evidence from both mouse models of atherosclerosis and in vitro Cell Culture has suggested that the role of IFN-gamma is complex since both pro- and anti-atherogenic actions have been affiliated to it. This review will focus on evaluating the contribution of IFN-gamma to atherosclerosis and, in particular, how it regulates immune responses to the disease.

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