Abstract
Epidemiologic data convincingly demonstrate risk for atherosclerotic disease associated with bacterial infection and endotoxin; however, the independent contributions to disease and pathogenic mechanisms of endotoxin remained elusive. Further investigation into this relation tested the correlation between endotoxin and neopterin, and indicated that neopterin functions as effect modifying factor on the effects of endotoxin. Until now, interferon-y could not be associated with atherosclerosis risk. Since neopterin is the typical product of immune-activated macrophages, with interferon-y as principal stimulatory agent, it may well be that this lymphokine gives rise to the array of effects that chronic infections impart in atherogenesis. Synergistic effects of interferon-y and endotoxin on atherosclerosis- related hemostasis have been observed by many scientists.
Published Version
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