The inflammasome in atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes.

Masters, Seth L; Latz, Eicke; O'Neill, Luke A J · Sci Transl Med · 2011

review · Level V

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Abstract

Atherosclerosis is the cause of morbiditiy for 70% of patients with type 2 diabetes. In both of these diseases, a protein complex known as the inflammasome is stimulated to activate interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18, which are pathogenic inflammatory cytokines. Triggers for the inflammasome are obesity-related factors, such as cholesterol crystals in atherosclerosis, or hyperglycemia, ceramides, and islet amyloid polypeptide in type 2 diabetes. Therapeutics that target IL-1β in clinical trials for type 2 diabetes might also decrease the incidence of atherosclerosis.

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