Review
Hematology
Carmen Yap, Arnout Mieremet, Carlie J. M. de Vries, Dimitra Micha, Vivian de Waard
Summary: Multiple layers of vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) form the media of blood vessels, providing structure and regulating blood flow. vSMCs exhibit high plasticity and can switch between different phenotypes, with a total of 6 phenotypes identified. The central dedifferentiated vSMC type is the mesenchymal-like phenotype, which can differentiate into various other cell types contributing to vascular disease.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Justine Bonetti, Alessandro Corti, Lucie Lerouge, Alfonso Pompella, Caroline Gaucher
Summary: Monocytes/macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (vSMCs) play key roles in atherosclerosis development and exhibit plasticity in response to environmental changes; vSMCs can switch from a contractile to a secretory phenotype and display macrophage characteristics, contributing to foam cell formation in atherosclerotic plaques. Nitric oxide levels impact molecular pathways involved in these processes, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for further exploration.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jose Britto-Junior, Rafael Campos, Matheus Peixoto, Antonio Tiago Lima, Felipe Fernandes Jacintho, Fabiola Z. Monica, Ronilson Agnaldo Moreno, Edson Antunes, Gilberto De Nucci
Summary: The release of dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and 6-nitrodopamine (6-ND) from Chelonoidis carbonaria aortic rings is coupled to nitric oxide (NO) synthesis. 6-ND acts as a selective dopamine D-2-like receptor antagonist and affects the vascular smooth muscle reactivity.
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY C-TOXICOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Lauren C. Chasland, Louise H. Naylor, Bu B. Yeap, Andrew J. Maiorana, Daniel J. Green
Summary: Exercise training improves endothelium-dependent vasodilator function in middle-to-older-aged men with central adiposity and low/normal testosterone levels, while administration of testosterone at therapeutic doses does not directly impact vascular function and does not add to the benefits of exercise.
Review
Hematology
Ashish Misra, Rajan Rehan, Alexander Lin, Sanjay Patel, Edward A. Fisher
Summary: Clonal expansion plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis, particularly in smooth muscle cells and macrophages. Recent studies have revealed the contribution of clonal expansion to disease pathology and provided innovative directions for future therapies of atherosclerosis and associated cardiovascular diseases.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mandy O. J. Grootaert, Martin R. Bennett
Summary: Vascular smooth muscle cells play a key role in atherosclerosis by forming a protective fibrous cap and exhibiting various phenotypes that can affect plaque formation and stability. They are a larger proportion of atherosclerotic plaques than previously thought and their plasticity is regulated by various mechanisms.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Hematology
Simon Kraler, Peter Libby, Paul C. Evans, Alexander Akhmedov, Martin O. Schmiady, Michael Reinehr, Giovanni G. Camici, Thomas F. Luscher
Summary: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease has become a global epidemic, with the internal mammary artery's unique biological properties providing resilience against atherosclerotic plaque formation. Shifting the perspective from risk to resilience may help decipher the mechanisms of atheroresistance and identify new therapeutic targets.
ARTERIOSCLEROSIS THROMBOSIS AND VASCULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Meichun Wu, Min Xun, Yuping Chen
Summary: Circular RNAs control the phenotypic adaptation, proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells under multiple stimuli, affecting the progression of cardiovascular diseases.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE-JMM
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Lingfeng Luo, Changhao Fu, Caitlin F. Bell, Ying Wang, Nicholas J. Leeper
Summary: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) clonality plays a significant role in its development. Currently, there are unanswered questions regarding SMC clonality, such as the existence of stem-like progenitor cells and how cells within a clone determine their phenotype. Understanding these aspects is important for the development of novel approaches to treating atherosclerosis.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Bo Zhang, Yumei Qin, Li Yang, Huining Wan, Lu Yuan, Yunbing Wang
Summary: This study developed a new stent that combines the biological functions of nitric oxide gas and VEGF to promote the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells while suppressing smooth muscle cells. The functionalized stent showed enhanced vascular healing and reduced inflammation and vessel wall injury.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Gabriel Hoi-Huen Chan, Enoch Chan, Carsten Tsun-Ka Kwok, George Pak-Heng Leung, Simon Ming-Yuen Lee, Sai-Wang Seto
Summary: Ageing is a risk factor for degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. The tumor suppressor gene p53 may play a regulatory role in vascular remodeling, atherosclerosis, and pulmonary hypertension. Further studies are needed to fully understand the effects of p53 in cardiovascular function and its therapeutic potential.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peter J. Little, Christopher D. Askew, Suowen Xu, Danielle Kamato
Summary: The endothelium is a single-cell monolayer that lines the entire vasculature, playing roles in barrier function, anticoagulation, vascular aging, endocrine secretion, and inflammation suppression. It produces important factors like nitric oxide and endothelin, with continued research on endothelial dysfunction leading to potential novel cardiovascular therapies.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fabienne Burger, Daniela Baptista, Aline Roth, Rafaela Fernandes da Silva, Fabrizio Montecucco, Francois Mach, Karim J. Brandt, Kapka Miteva
Summary: The study demonstrated that oxLDL-activated monocytes can directly affect VSMCs in a co-culture system, leading to reduced expression of certain markers and upregulation of others, as well as activation of caspase 1, secretion of IL-1 beta, and pyroptosis in VSMCs. The activation of VSMC NLRP3 inflammasome by monocytes may play a detrimental role in atherosclerotic plaque stability in human atherosclerosis, as evidenced by findings in both mice and human atherosclerotic plaques.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Helen Christou, Zoe Michael, Fotios Spyropoulos, Yunfei Chen, Dan Rong, Raouf A. Khalil
Summary: The study showed that amelioration of pulmonary hypertension through carbonic anhydrase inhibition involves improved pulmonary artery reactivity and NO-mediated relaxation, potentially enhancing responsiveness to vasodilator therapies for PH.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Francesca Fagiani, Marieva Vlachou, Daniele Di Marino, Ilaria Canobbio, Alice Romagnoli, Marco Racchi, Stefano Govoni, Cristina Lanni
Summary: Pin1 functions as a key regulator of vascular homeostasis by modulating nitric oxide bioavailability and influencing various pathways involved in vascular diseases. Understanding the role of Pin1 in vascular endothelium could provide new insights for potential therapeutic strategies in vascular pathologies and neurodegenerative diseases.
