Pharmacological modulation of vascular inflammation in atherothrombosis.

Vascular inflammation, especially at the level of endothelial cells, has been shown to play a pivotal role in the
inception, progression, and clinical complications of atherosclerosis. The common denominators for the activation
of inflammatory genes appear to be a small subset of transcription factors--among which include nuclear factor-?B,
activator protein-1 (AP-1), and GATA--that function as the central hub of vascular inflammation. Strategies directed
to inhibit both the secondary mediators and the primary triggers (atherosclerosis risk factors) appear viable to inhibit
atherosclerosis. However, attempts have now been made to address the central hub of vascular inflammation. "Old"
drugs, such as dipyridamole, can also now be revisited for properties related to inhibition of vascular inflammation,
probably by acting on the common hub of inflammation.