Erythrocyte Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC): diagnostic and therapeutic implications in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

ABSTRACT: Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. The last three decades efforts have been made to elucidate the biochemical pathways that are implicated in the process of atherogenesis and plaque development. Chemokines are crucial mediators in every step of this process. Additionally, cellular components of the peripheral blood have been proved important mediators in the formation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions. However, until recently data were mostly focusing on leukocytes and platelets. Erythrocytes were considered unreceptive bystanders and limited data supported their importance in the progression and destabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque. Recently erythrocytes, through their Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC), have been proposed as appealing regulators of ch

SUBMITTER: Apostolakis S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4001982 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature