Mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 is a serin/threonine kinase originally isolated from lipopolysaccharide stimulated monocytes. There are 4 isoforms; p38-a activation has been most widely studied for inflammation...
We describe how innate and adaptive immune cascades trigger the release of cytokines and chemokines, resulting in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. We discuss how cytokines have direct and indirect effects on myocardial function.