Targeting the adaptive immune continuum in atherosclerosis and post-MI injury

Abstract

Atherosclerotic disease is a cholesterol-rich lipoprotein particle-driven disease resulting in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in large and medium size arteries. Rupture or erosion of atherosclerotic plaques can trigger the formation of a thrombus causing the obstruction of the blood flow in the coronary artery and thereby leading to myocardial infarction (MI). Inflammation is a crucial pillar of the mechanisms leading to atherosclerosis and governing the cardiac repair post-MI. Dissecting the complex and sophisticated networks of the immune responses underlying the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and affecting the healing of the heart after MI will allow the designing of highly precise immunomodulatory therapies for these settings. Notably, MI also accelerates atherosclerosis via modulating the response of the immune system. Therefore, for the identification of effective and safe therapeutic targets, it is critical to consider the inflammatory continuum that interconnects the two pathologies and identify immunomodulatory strategies that confer a protective effect in both settings or at least, affect each pathology independently. Adaptive immunity, which consists of B and T lymphocytes, is a major regulator of atherosclerosis and post-MI cardiac repair. Here, we review and discuss the effect of potential adaptive immunity-targeting therapies, such as cell-depleting therapies, in the immune continuum of atherosclerosis and post-MI cardiac injury.