Molecular biology and gene transfer in atherosclerosis in the stenting era

Atherosclerosis is the major cause of death in the developed world. Understanding the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis has been a major challenge to cardiovascular research over the past several decades. During this period a number of advances in various scientific disciplines has increased our understanding of this disease. These include improved understanding of the structural and functional components of normal vessel wall and more recently the use of cell biology and molecular biology techniques to elucidate the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. None of these advances has been more dramatic nor has potentially more far reaching consequences as the application of molecular biology and gene technology to the practice of cardiovascular medicine. These developments have already opened new and exciting areas of vascular research and may in the future provide for earlier identification of genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis, strategic planning of preventive therapy and more tailored pharmacologic approaches for established disease.