Cellular signals in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is a complex, incompletely understood process involving several cell types, including smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and platelets, and the signals between them. Atherosclerotic lesions result from an excessive inflammatory fibroproliferative response to various forms of insult to the endothelium and smooth muscle of the artery wall. Numerous growth regulatory molecules/factors participate in this process. This article reviews the atherosclerotic process and provides new scientific insights into the prevention and treatment of this disease. The implications for nursing are described.