Research progress in the relationship between chemokines and their re-ceptors and coronary heart disease

Atherosclerosis( AS) is a chronic inflammatory condition. The main causes for AS formation are metabolic diseases,lipid deposition and infiltration of inflammatory cells to the vascular endothelium;however,the mechanism of inflammatory infiltration has not yet been elucidated. Many national and international studies have shown that migration and activation of chemokines to monocytes,macrophages,T cells and other inflammatory cells are important in the inflammatory response of AS. Recent studies have demonstrated that chemokines may promote the proliferation and synthesis of inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases cells,promoting plaque instability. This article briefly reviews the functions of chemokines and their receptors in AS.