The role of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-18, its processing enzyme Caspase-1, and potential alternative IL-18-activating pathways in atherosclerosis [Elektronische Ressource] / vorgelegt von Norbert Gerdes

The role of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-18, its processing enzyme Caspase-1, and potential alternative IL-18-activating pathways in atherosclerosis Inaugural-Dissertation zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität zu Köln vorgelegt von Norbert Gerdes aus Altenberge Köln 2005 This work was performed between September 2001 and May 2005 under supervision of Professor Dr. Uwe Schönbeck in the group of Professor Dr. Peter Libby at the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. The work was mentored by Professor Dr. Helmut W. Klein, Institute for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Germany. Referees (Berichterstatter): Prof. Dr. Helmut W. Klein, University of Cologne Prof. Dr. Jens Brüning, University of Cologne Prof. Dr. Uwe Schönbeck, Harvard Medical School Day of disputation: 5. July 2005 For Christin And My family Table of contents Table of Abbreviations ….…………………………….……….…………………….... 5 Zusammenfassung (German summary) ……………………………………………….. 7 Summary………………………………………………………………………………. 8 1. Introduction ……………………………………...……………………..…………... 9 1.1. Cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis……………………....………. 9 1.2.