Submitted on February 28, 2005
Revised on April 5, 2005
Accepted on April 5, 2005
Cytokines affecting endothelial and smooth muscle cells in vascular disease
Elaine W. Raines and Nicola Ferri
Department of Pathology, Box 359675, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104
Corresponding Author: ewraines{at}u.washington.edu
The cell and extracellular matrix accumulations that comprise lesions of atherosclerosis are driven by local release of cytokines at sites of predilection for lesion formation, and the specific attraction and activation of cells expressing receptors for these cytokines. Although cytokines were originally characterized for their potent effects on immune and inflammatory cells, they also promote endothelial cell dysfunction and alter smooth muscle cell phenotype and function that can contribute to or retard vascular pathologies. This review summarizes in vivo studies that have characterized endothelial- and smooth muscle-specific effects of altering cytokine signaling in vascular disease. While multiple reports have identified cytokines as pivotal players in endothelial and smooth muscle cell responses in vascular disease, they also highlight the need to delineate the critical genes and specific cellular functions regulated by individual cytokine signaling pathways.
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