Universiteit Leiden

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Dissertation

The interplay between lipids and the immune system in atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular diseases are among the most frequent causes of death in the world. The main underlying pathology of cardiovascular diseases is the development of atherosclerosis in the medium and large-sized arteries.

Author
Van der Heijden, T.
Date
19 December 2017
Links
Thesis in Leiden Repository

Cardiovascular diseases are among the most frequent causes of death in the world. The main underlying pathology of cardiovascular diseases is the development of atherosclerosis in the medium and large-sized arteries. The role of several immune cell subsets has been identified in atherosclerosis and it has been established that the immune system contributes to initiation and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is thus currently described as a chronic inflammatory disease and both the innate and adaptive immune cells contribute to disease initiation and progression. This suggests that targeting the ongoing inflammatory response may limit atherogenesis. This thesis discusses several therapeutic immune targets to limit atherosclerotic lesion development. The results described show the interplay between lipids and the immune system and a number of anti-inflammatory strategies to reduce atherosclerotic lesion development. The studies show a clear advantage of reducing inflammation in atherosclerotic lesion development. Future (clinical) studies identifying new targets will lead to a better-personalized therapy reducing atherosclerosis.

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