Endothelial Dysfunction and Inflammation: Immunity in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Figure 1

ECs and innate and adaptive immunity. Part A. Innate immunity: (1) ECs express CD36 scavenger receptor and the TLRs, which trigger signals resulting in proinflammatory gene expression, leukocyte chemotaxis, phagocytosis, cytotoxicity, and activation of adaptive immune responses. (2) Receptors NODs 1 and 2 work as sensors for microbial peptides and regulators of inflammation. (3) ECs respond to invading microbes and endogenous substances by producing inflammatory mediators and expressing surface molecules, such as CD40, CD80, CD86, CD134L, PD-L1, and PD-L2. Part B. Adaptive immunity: (4) Activated ECs express costimulators including OX40 ligand and 4-1BB ligand, which are involved in formation, activation, and survival of memory T cell. (5) ECs express MHC I and MHC II class molecules and process antigen. (6) ECs secrete cytokines, such like IL-1, -6, -8, -25, -33, TNF-α. , and TSLP, which regulate and shape adaptive and innate immune responses to control the recruitment and influx of immune cells to sites of action.