Monday, December 28, 2009

Heart study targets immune cells in the arteries (UK)

Heart study targets immune cells in the arteries (UK)"Scientists are to try to develop a treatment to target harmful immune cells in the arteries that are believed to trigger many heart attacks. It is two decades since it was established a patient's immune system could produce the inflammation in the arteries that leads to an attack. But treatments based on this knowledge have so far proved ineffective. The Bristol Heart Institute says this could be because drugs kill off the helpful as well as the harmful cells. With the backing of the British Heart Foundation, they want to look at developing a treatment that specifically targets the more harmful immune cells. It is thought these are drawn to the arteries as a result of the plaques of fatty deposits that build up here" - BBC

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