[Interaction of T lymphocytes with elastin and their significance in immunopathology].

Recent data indicate that human T lymphocytes can adhere to elastin and respond to co-stimulatory signals of that protein. This reactivity is mediated by non-integrin receptor, elastin binding protein. In addition, another receptor belonging to integrin family may be also involved. T cell interactions with elastin (but not other extracellular matrix proteins) appear to be upregulated in healthy males and at least some patients with vasculitis. Interestingly, statins in pharmacological concentrations strongly and selectively block those interactions. Our data point to the potential role of T cell interactions with elastin in immunopathology of vasculitis and atherosclerosis.