Agents inducing vascular cell death.

Arterial wall is constituted by endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. A number of agents are capable of inducing damages in these cells leading either to apoptosis or necrosis involved in various pathologies. Such agents are constituted by: bacterial endotoxins, mediators and modulators of immunitary and/or inflammatory systems systems, drugs, reactive oxygen metabolites, SI ee radicals, cholesterol oxidation derivatives included or nor in lipoproteins. The study of the mechanisms of action implied in cell death would permit a better understanding of vascular diseases and open new therapeutic perspectives.