[The role of CD44 in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis].

The pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which remains the most important reason of mortality, is not well understood. Its present conception includes recruitment of inflammatory cells to the vessel wall, activation of vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelium. Much evidence indicate that CD44 molecule, the main receptor for hyaluronan, takes part in pathogenesis via several mechanisms. It mediates in lymphocyte T and monocyte adhesion to the endothelium, stimulates proinflammatory cytokine release from macrophages and participates in dedifferentiation phenotype of smooth muscle cells from contractile state to synthetic one. Furthermore CD44 acts in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization and neointimal proliferation after percutaneous vascular interventions. Numerous studies have supported the concept that CD44 participates in many stages of atherosclerosis. These studies suggest that inhibition of CD44 function may provide an effective mean for inhibiting atherosclerosis, but we still need further investigations for possible therapeutic implications.