Immunology of atherosclerosis: problems and prospects of immunotherapy

Atherosclerosis is one of the key problems of modern society. A growing body of evidence suggests that atherosclerosis is not only a metabolic but also an immune disease with local and systemic mechanisms. Dyslipidemia, local disturbances in vascular hemodynamics, and inflammation in the vascular wall involving various immune and non-immune cells such as endothelial and smooth muscle cells, are thought to be important for the development of atherosclerosis. In this context, there is a growing clinical and research interest in the possibility of therapeutically targeting different immune mechanisms. The aim of the current review is to discuss recent advances in understanding the immune mechanisms of atherogenesis and the challenges and prospects for immunotherapy of atherosclerosis.