How immune cells contribute to cardiovascular health and disease

Inflammatory cells and their products are increasingly being considered as potential drug targets for the treatment of abnormal narrowing of the arteries, heart attack, and heart failure. An intricate understanding of these cells and their functions is essential for the design of precision therapeutics. A recent review article explored how new clinical and preclinical data, often linking the cardiovascular, immune and other organ systems, have propelled conceptual advances to a point where cardiovascular immunotherapy appears within reach. The article, which was partly funded by NHLBI, was published in Nature Medicine.