Hypertension

Hypertension is a chronic disease characterized by systemic high blood pressure and is the most common and important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension affects more than a quarter of the world’s adult population and plays a major pathogenetic role in the development of cerebrovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, cardiac and renal failure. The etiology of hypertension is heterogeneous and remains elusive. In the last decade, low grade systemic inflammation has been described as an important feature of hypertension. Recent investigations suggest that the innate immune response may be activated by host-derived molecules or DAMPs (damage-associated molecular pattern) leading in turn to activation of the adaptive immune response. The participation of different lymphocyte populations, effectors of the adaptive immune response, has been demonstrated for angiotensin IIinduced hypertension. Nevertheless, few authors have discussed the participation of the innate immune response in hypertension, which is responsible for the recognition of the DAMPs and activation of the adaptive response. In this article we will discuss the inflammatory process in hypertension and the contribution of the immune system to this disease state. We will focus on recent data on the participation of innate immune response in hypertension. The Toll way to hypertension: role of the innate immune response: Gisele Facholi Bomfim, Theodora Szasz, Maria Helena C. Carvalho and R. Clinton Webb

• Share this page
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Last date updated on April, 2024