CD8+ T cells in atherosclerosis
Schaefer S, Zernecke A (2021)
Publication Type: Journal article, Review article
Publication year: 2021
Journal
Book Volume: 10
Pages Range: 1-16
Article Number: 37
Journal Issue: 1
Abstract
Atherosclerotic lesions are populated by cells of the innate and adaptive immune system, including CD8+ T cells. The CD8+ T cell infiltrate has recently been characterized in mouse and human atherosclerosis and revealed activated, cytotoxic, and possibly dysfunctional and exhausted cell phenotypes. In mouse models of atherosclerosis, antibody-mediated depletion of CD8+ T cells ameliorates atherosclerosis. CD8+ T cells control monopoiesis and macrophage accumulation in early atherosclerosis. In addition, CD8+ T cells exert cytotoxic functions in atherosclerotic plaques and contribute to macrophage cell death and necrotic core formation. CD8+ T cell activation may be antigen-specific, and epitopes of atherosclerosis-relevant antigens may be targets of CD8+ T cells and their cytotoxic activity. CD8+ T cell functions are tightly controlled by costimulatory and coinhibitory immune checkpoints. Subsets of regulatory CD25+CD8+ T cells with immunosuppressive functions can inhibit atherosclerosis. Importantly, local cytotoxic CD8+ T cell responses may trigger endothelial damage and plaque erosion in acute coronary syndromes. Understanding the complex role of CD8+ T cells in atherosclerosis may pave the way for defining novel treatment approaches in atherosclerosis. In this review article, we discuss these aspects, highlighting the emerging and critical role of CD8+ T cells in atherosclerosis.
Involved external institutions
Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Schaefer, S., & Zernecke, A. (2021). CD8+ T cells in atherosclerosis. Cells, 10(1), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10010037
MLA:
Schaefer, Sarah, and Alma Zernecke. "CD8+ T cells in atherosclerosis." Cells 10.1 (2021): 1-16.
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