Immunosuppression in atherosclerosis: mobilizing the opposition within.

An estimated 10 14 microbes live on our mucosal surfaces, exceeding by far the number of cells in our body (approximately 10). Survival depends on our ability to recognize, wall off, and eliminate unwanted intruders. The doubling of life expectancy over the last century has created an internal burden of degenerating tissue, cellular debris, and malignant transformation, adding considerable stress to host defense mechanisms. The most powerful protective tool that we have is inflammation, a generic response pattern that allows the immune system to rapidly recognize threats, mobilize cells to injury sites, remove instigators, and heal wounds.