AUTHOR=Law Ching Chee , Puranik Rajesh , Fan Jingchun , Fei Jian , Hambly Brett D. , Bao Shisan 

TITLE=Clinical Implications of IL-32, IL-34 and IL-37 in Atherosclerosis: Speculative Role in Cardiovascular Manifestations of COVID-19

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

VOLUME=Volume 8 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2021.630767

DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2021.630767

ISSN=2297-055X

ABSTRACT=Atherosclerosis, which is a primary cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths around the world, is a chronic inflammatory disease that is characterised by the accumulation of lipid plaques in the arterial wall, triggering inflammation that is regulated by cytokines/chemokines that mediate innate and adaptive immunity. This review focuses on IL 32,  34 and  37 in the stable vs unstable plaques from atherosclerotic patients. Dysregulation of the novel cytokines IL 32,  34 and  37 has been discovered in atherosclerotic plaques. IL 32 and  34 are pro atherogenic and associated with an unstable plaque phenotype; whereas IL 37 is anti atherogenic and maintains plaque stability. This review focuses on IL 32,  34 and  37 in the stable vs unstable plaques from atherosclerotic patients. It is speculated that these cytokines may contribute to the explanation for the increased occurrence of atherosclerotic plaque rupture seen in patients with COVID 19 infection. Understanding the roles of these cytokines in atherogenesis may provide future therapeutic perspectives, both in the management of unstable plaque and acute coronary syndrome, and may contribute to our understanding of the COVID 19 cytokine storm.