The review deals with issues related to the involvement of immune reactions in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Modern concepts of atherogenesis, immune in flammation in atherosclerosis, the role of monocyte-macrophages, lymphocytes, smooth muscle cells inpathology are discussed. Much attention is paid to such modulators as cytokines. On the basis of clarifying the relationship of atherosclerosis and in flammation authors believe that in flammation develops secondarily as a response to the impaired metabolism of lipids and lipoproteins. In addition, we have discussed some prospects of drug immunological intervention in atherogenesis processes.

Key words: atherosclerosis, inflammation, immune cells, cytokines