Interleukin 23 levels are increased in carotid atherosclerosis: possible role for the interleukin 23/interleukin 17 axis.

Background And Purpose: Interleukin (IL)-23 is a cytokine in the IL-12 family, mainly produced by antigen-presenting cells with a central role in inflammation. We hypothesize that IL-23 is also important in atherogenesis and investigate this in a population with carotid atherosclerosis.

Methods: Plasma levels of IL-23 were measured in patients with carotid artery stenosis and in healthy controls.

Matrix metalloproteinase 7 is associated with symptomatic lesions and adverse events in patients with carotid atherosclerosis.

Background: Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cerebrovascular disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in matrix degradation within the atherosclerotic lesion leading to plaque destabilization and ischemic stroke. We hypothesized that MMP-7 could be involved in this process.