How does inflammation contribute to the development of atherosclerosis?

How does inflammation contribute to the development of atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition with an autoimmune component. It is accompanied by a chronic, low-grade inflammatory response that attracts cells of the innate and adaptive immune systems into the atherosclerotic plaque (Wolf & Ley, 2019). The autoimmune response is clinically best documented by antibodies against LDL and other atherosclerosis antigens. The continued development of atherosclerosis involves an inflammatory response, which begins with injury to the vascular endothelium. Inflammation has multiple effects on the arterial wall, including attracting inflammatory cells like macrophages (Jebari-Benslaiman et al., 2022). The macrophages infiltrate the injured vascular endothelium and ingest lipids, making them foam cells. Activated macrophages release biochemical substances that can further damage the endothelium, attracting platelets and initiating clotting.