Cardiovascular Research Advance Access [Accepted Manuscript] published online on September 25, 2008
Cardiovascular Research, doi:10.1093/cvr/cvn248
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CD4+CD28null T cells in coronary artery disease: when helpers become killers
Cardiovascular Biology Research Centre, Division of Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, St George's University of London, London, UK
* Corresponding author: Prof. Juan Carlos Kaski, Cardiovascular Biology Research Centre, Division of Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, St. George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK; Telephone:+44 208 725 5939/5901; Fax:+44 208 725 3328; e-mail: jkaski{at}sgul.ac.uk
The crucial role of T cells in atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD) has been highlighted by recent observations. Helper CD4+ T cells can both aggravate or attenuate the atherogenic process and the development of CAD. CD4+CD28null T cells are an unusual subset of helper cells, which expand and have deleterious effects in CAD. In this review we discuss current issues on the generation of CD4+CD28null T cells and focus on their phenotypic and functional characteristics relevant to the development of cardiovascular events. The possible effects of present day therapies for CAD on the CD4+CD28null T cells are also explored. Targeting the CD4+CD28null T cell subset in CAD could provide novel therapeutic strategies to prevent acute life-threatening coronary events.
Time for primary review: 15 days