Scrutinized role of Cytomegalovirus in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis from early life

摘要

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a successful ubiquitous virus, its prevalence is more than 60% among adult blood donors, worldwide. Contrary to this old concept, CMV infection is associated with the first leading cause of death among immune-competent hosts. This paradigm is getting stronger by the emergence of growing evidences about the role of CMV in the pathogenesis of various kinds of native and allo- atherosclerosis. Altered gene expression in vascular vessel wall due to the integrated viral genome to the host genetic material superimposes to the inflammatory pool activated by CMV antigenic substrates. Given the latent and persistent nature of CMV infection, modulation of immune system seems beneficial in partly prevention of atherosclerosis in nations. This goal might be achieved by in depth understanding of the joint links between CMV and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis from early life.