Editorial [ Immune-Mediated Mechanisms in Atheroclerosis:Prevention and Treatment of Clinical Manifestations Executive Editor: Emilio Jirillo ]

Atherosclerosis is a disease of multifactorial origin which represents a major global cause of morbidity and mortality. The presence of macrophages, as a major cell-type, in the atheromatous plaque and the role played by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in its pathogenesis clearly support a robust immunological involvement in this disease. On these grounds, the present issue of Current Pharmaceutical Design, entitled: “Immune-Mediated Mechanisms in Atherosclerosis: Prevention and Treatment of Clinical Manifestations” will place emphasis on animal and human models of atherosclerosis, pathogenesis and clinical aspects, potential new drug targets and pharmacogenomics. Koppang and associates [1] will present, as an animal model of atherosclerosis, some immunophatological pictures of coronary disease in salmon which resemble those observed in humans. Lenato and associates [2] will describe some immune abnormalities found in hereditary haemorrahagic teleangiectasia, an autosomal dominant disease, and its relationship with atherosclerosis. Gibson and Genco [3] will demonstrate that Porphyromonas gingivalis accelerates atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic mice and immunization is effective in the prevention of pathogen-induced atherosclerosis. Matarese and associates [4] will review the most recent advances on adipokine research and the link with atherosclerosis as an effect of low degree chronic inflammation typical of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Price and Knight [5] will illustrate the roles played by glycated proteins in atherosclerosis development through receptor-mediated release of progression factors, especially in diabetes. Misciagna and associates [6] will point out that non enzymatic glycation of protein in the blood is associated with cardiovascular disease also in non diabetic subjects, and could be used to define risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Amati and associates [7] will describe the immune bases of obesity and its prevention in order to reduce more serious complications in adulthood, even including atherosclerosis development. Niessner and associates [8] will discuss on the main therapeutic approaches to atherosclerosis, such as (1) immunomodulatory effects of existing therapies, (2) therapies targeting inflammatory triggers, and (3) agents inhibiting specific immune mechanisms. Tafaro and associates [9] will place emphasis on the effects on colostrum and milk from donkey on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and its use in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Magrone and associates [10] will demonstrate that a moderate assumption of red wine, as in vitro evaluated on human PBMCs, leads to a robust production of nitric oxide useful in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Candore and associates [11] will illustrate the application of pharmacogenomics in the prevention and cure of coronary heart disease, mostly, in terms of early identification of individuals susceptible to disease and discovery of potential targets for drugs. References [1] Koppang EO, Fischer U, Satoh M, Jirillo E. Inflammation in fish as seen from a morphological point of view with special reference to the vascular compartment. Curr Pharm Des 2007; 13(36): 3649-3655. [2] Lenato GM, Soppressa P, Giordano P, Guanti G, Guastamacchia E, Triggiani V, Amati L, Resta F, Covelli V, Jirillo E, Sabbà C. Hereditary Haemorrhagic Teleangiectasia: a rare disease as a model for the study of human atherosclerosis. Curr Pharm Des 2007; 13(36): 3656-3664. [3] Gibson III FC, Genco CA. Porphyromonas gingivalis mediated periodontal disease and atherosclerosis: disparate diseases with commonalities in pathogenesis through TLRs. Curr Pharm Des 2007; 13(36): 3665-3675. [4] Matarese G, Mantzoros C, La Cava A. Leptin and adipocytokines: bridging the gap between immunity and atherosclerosis. Curr Pharm Des 2007; 13(36): 3676-3680. [5] Price CL, Knight SC. Advanced glycation: a novel outlook on atherosclerosis. Curr Pharm Des 2007; 13(36): 3681-3687. [6] Misciagna G, De Michele G, Trevisan M. Non enzymatic proteins in the blood and cardiovascular disease. Curr Pharm Des 2007; 13(36): 3688-3695. [7] Amati L, Chiloiro M, Covelli V. Early pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: the childhood obesity. Curr Pharm Des 2007; 13(36): 3696- 3700. [8] Goronzy JJ, Weyand CM, Niessner A. Immune-mediated mechanisms in atherosclerosis: prevention and treatment of clinical manifestations. Curr Pharm Des 2007; 13(36): 3701-3710. [9] Tafaro A, Magrone T, Jirillo F, Martemucci G, D'Alessandro AG, Amati L, Jirillo E. Immunological properties of donkey's milk: its potential use in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Curr Pharm Des 2007; 13(36): 3711-3717. [10] Magrone T, Tafaro A, Jirillo F, Panaro MA, Cuzzuol P, Cuzzuol AC, Pugliese V, Amati L, Jirillo E, Covelli V. Red wine and prevention of atherosclerosis: an in vitro model using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Curr Pharm Des 2007; 13(36): 3718-3725. [11] Candore G, Balistreri CR, Caruso M, Grimaldi MP, Incalcaterra E, Listi F, Vasto S, Caruso C. Pharmacogenomics: a tool to prevent and cure coronary heart disease. Curr Pharm Des 2007; 13(36): 3726-3734.