CD8 T Cells Drive Plaque Smooth Muscle Cell Dedifferentiation in Experimental Atherosclerosis.

Background: Atherosclerosis is driven by the infiltration of the arterial intima by diverse immune cells and smooth muscle cells (SMCs). CD8 T cells promote lesion growth during atherosclerotic lesion development, but their role in advanced atherosclerosis is less clear. Here, we studied the role of CD8 T cells and their effects on SMCs in established atherosclerosis.