Progress in understanding of effect of neutrophils on immune mechanism of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is not only closely related to lipid metabolism disorder, but also to inflammation. And it is not only inflammatory lesions in local vessels, but also a systemic immune disorder involving a variety of immune cells. In the past, it was thought that monocytes/macrophages are the main immune cells involved in AS. Neutrophils are a large, highly responsive population of cells in the innate immune system, but the role of neutrophils in AS has not attracted much attention due to their short life span and rapid renewal. In recent years, many studies have found that neutrophils can induce endothelial dysfunction, promote foam cell formation and inflammatory response, and accelerate the formation and development of plaques in the early stage of AS inflammation. In the late stage, neutrophils participate in vascular injury, necrotic nucleus formation, and fibrous cap thinning in plaques, and promote unstable plaque rupture, thereby activating platelets and secondary thrombosis. Therefore, the regulation of neutrophils may be a new target for the prevention and treatment of AS. Key words: Neutrophils; Atherosclerosis; Inflammation