Advances in Research on the Role of Immune Cells in the Process of Atherosclerosis

Rupture of atherosclerotic plaques in arterial blood vessels is a major trigger of acute myocardial infarction, which poses a serious threat to the patient’s life. The formation of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels is not only associated with abnormal lipid metabolism in the body, but also closely related to abnormal activation of the immune system and the interaction between inflammatory factors and vascular cells. Several studies have shown that various immune cells in the body play important roles in the process of atherosclerosis, suggesting that atherosclerosis is likely to be a chronic vascular disease induced by inflammation. This article reviews the advances in research on the role of immune cells in the progression of atherosclerosis, and introduces the relevant immunotherapies, aiming to provide ideas and references for mechanisms elucidation and clinical treatment of atherosclerosis.