Dual role of dendritic cells in the pathological mechanism of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory immune disease,which is one of the causes of human lower limb disability.Dendritic cells are the most powerful professional antigen presenting cell in immune system,and dendritic cells have the dual role of immunogenicity and tolerability.As a professional antigen presenting cell,the immunogenicity of dendritic cells present self abnormal antigen and course immune system disorder,which may be one role of dendritic cells participate in atherosclerosis.However,the tolerability of dendritic cells can course the generation of immune tolerance,which makes dendritic cells exert a regulatory role in atherosclerosis.This paper makes an introduction about how dendritic cells are involved and play a regulatory role in the pathogenesis of atherosderosis. Key words: Dendritic cells ;  Immunogenicity ;  Self tolerance ;  Atherosclerosis ;  Pathological mechanism