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Minerva Cardioangiologica 2001 December;49(6):417-20

Copyright © 2001 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Leukocytes-endothelial interaction in vascular pathology: from host defence mechanism to promoter of vascular injury

Mazzone A.

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Leukocytes play a key role in the defense of human organism from bacterial and fungal infections, taking part in the host defense mechanism against viral and neoplastic diseases. The purpose of this article is to underline the interaction between leukocytes and endothelial cells in atherosclerosis vascular damage. Actually, new evidences suggest a primary role for leukocytes, adhesion molecules, citokines and proteases to promote vascular endothelial cell injury by inflammatory process, the first step in atheromatic plaque formation.