Life Extension - Age Related Disease

Atherosclerosis - updated: 08 December 2008

Protein glycation: a firm link to endothelial cell dysfunction

Circ Res. 2004 Aug 6;95(3):233-8

Wautier JL, Schmidt AM.

The advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are a heterogeneous class of molecules, including the following main subgroups: bis(lysyl)imidazolium cross-links, hydroimidazolones, 3-deoxyglucosone derivatives, and monolysyl adducts. AGEs are increased in diabetes, renal failure, and aging. Microvascular lesions correlate with the accumulation of AGEs, as demonstrated in diabetic retinopathy or renal glomerulosclerosis. On endothelial cells, ligation of receptor for AGE (RAGE) by AGEs induces the expression of cell adhesion molecules, tissue factor, cytokines such as interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. A chief means by which AGEs via RAGE exert their effects is by generation of reactive oxygen species, at least in part via stimulation of NADPH oxidase. Diabetes-associated vascular dysfunction in vivo can be prevented by blockade of RAGE. Thus, agents that limit AGE formation, increase the catabolism of these species, or antagonize their binding to RAGE may provide new targets for vascular protection in diabetes.

Publication Types:

• Review

Glycoxidation and lipoxidation in atherogenesis

Free Radic Biol Med. 2000 Jun 15;28(12):1708-16

Baynes JW, Thorpe SR.

Atherosclerosis may be viewed as an age-related disease initiated by nonenzymatic, chemical reactions in a biological system. The peroxidation of lipids in lipoproteins in the vascular wall leads to local production of reactive carbonyl species that mediate recruitment of macrophages, cellular activation and proliferation, and chemical modification of vascular proteins by advanced lipoxidation end-products (ALEs). The ALEs and their precursors affect the structure and function of the vascular wall, setting the stage for atherogenesis. The increased risk for atherosclerosis in diabetes may result from additional carbonyl production from carbohydrates and additional chemical modification of proteins by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Failure to maintain homeostasis and the increase in oxidizable substrate (lipid) alone, rather than oxidative stress, is the likely source of the increase in reactive carbonyl precursors and the resultant ALEs and AGEs in atherosclerosis. Nucleophilic AGE-inhibitors, such as aminoguanidine and pyridoxamine, which trap reactive carbonyls and inhibit the formation of AGEs in diabetes, also trap bioactive lipids and precursors of ALEs in atherosclerosis. These drugs should be effective in retarding the development of atherosclerosis, even in nondiabetic patients.

Publication Types:

• Review

Protein glycation and endothelium dysfunction

J Soc Biol. 2007;201(2):175-84

Grossin N, Wautier JL.

Advanced glycation end-products (AGE) are a group of heterogeneous molecules found in higher levels during diabetes, end stage renal failure and aging. Vascular alteration is correlated with their accumulation as during retinopathy or glomerulosclerosis. Glycation of extracellular matrix proteins is associated with diabetic angiopathy. AGE stimulate endothelial cell via the interaction with the receptor RAGE, leading to an inflammatory state with increased adhesion molecule expression, chemoattractant factor and tissue factor production. RAGE activation by AGE triggers reactive oxygen species production by NADPH oxydase. Agents that inhibit AGE formation, stimulate their degradation or neutralize their binding to RAGE represent new approaches to limit the deleterious activities of AGE.

Publication Types:

• Review

Mitochondrial dysfunction in atherosclerosis

Circ Res. 2007 Mar 2;100(4):460-73

Madamanchi NR, Runge MS.

Increased production of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria, accumulation of mitochondrial DNA damage, and progressive respiratory chain dysfunction are associated with atherosclerosis or cardiomyopathy in human investigations and animal models of oxidative stress. Moreover, major precursors of atherosclerosis-hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and even the process of aging-all induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Chronic overproduction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species leads to destruction of pancreatic beta-cells, increased oxidation of low-density lipoprotein and dysfunction of endothelial cells-factors that promote atherosclerosis. An additional mechanism by which impaired mitochondrial integrity predisposes to clinical manifestations of vascular diseases relates to vascular cell growth. Mitochondrial function is required for normal vascular cell growth and function. Mitochondrial dysfunction can result in apoptosis, favoring plaque rupture. Subclinical episodes of plaque rupture accelerate the progression of hemodynamically significant atherosclerotic lesions. Flow-limiting plaque rupture can result in myocardial infarction, stroke, and ischemic/reperfusion damage. Much of what is known on reactive oxygen species generation and modulation comes from studies in cultured cells and animal models. In this review, we have focused on linking this large body of literature to the clinical syndromes that predispose humans to atherosclerosis and its complications.

Publication Types:

• Review

Mitochondrial dysfunction as an initiating event in atherogenesis: a plausible hypothesis

Cardiology. 2005;103(3):137-41.

Puddu P, Puddu GM, Galletti L, Cravero E, Muscari A.

It is now widely accepted that oxidant stress and the ensuing endothelial dysfunction play a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. The mitochondrial respiratory chain is the major source of reactive oxygen species as byproducts of normal cell respiration. Mitochondria may also be important targets for reactive oxygen species, which may damage mitochondrial lipids, enzymes and DNA with following mitochondrial dysfunction. Free cholesterol, oxidized low-density lipoprotein and glycated high-density lipoprotein are further possible causes of mitochondrial dysfunction and/or apoptosis. Moreover, in patients with mitochondrial diseases, vascular complications are commonly observed at an early age, often in the absence of traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis. We propose that mitochondrial dysfunction, besides endothelial dysfunction, represents an important early step in the chain of events leading to atherosclerotic disease.

Publication Types:

• Review

Telomere biology and cardiovascular disease

Circ Res. 2006 Nov 24;99(11):1167-80

Fuster JJ, Andrés V.

Accumulation of cellular damage with advancing age leads to atherothrombosis and associated cardiovascular disease. Ageing is also characterized by shortening of the DNA component of telomeres, the specialized genetic segments located at the end of eukaryotic chromosomes that protect them from end-to-end fusions. By inducing genomic instability, replicative senescence and apoptosis, shortening of the telomeric DNA is thought to contribute to organismal ageing. In this Review, we discuss experimental and human studies that have linked telomeres and associated proteins to several factors which influence cardiovascular risk (eg, estrogens, oxidative stress, hypertension, diabetes, and psychological stress), as well as to neovascularization and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and heart disease. Two chief questions that remain unanswered are whether telomere shortening is cause or consequence of cardiovascular disease, and whether therapies targeting the telomere may find application in treating these disorders (eg, cell "telomerization" to engineer blood vessels of clinical value for bypass surgery, and to facilitate cell-based myocardial regeneration strategies). Given that most research to date has focused on the role of telomerase, it is also of up most importance to investigate whether alterations in additional telomere-associated proteins may contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.

Publication Types:

• Review

Aging, telomeres, and atherosclerosis

Cardiovasc Res. 2005 May 1;66(2):213-21

Edo MD, Andrés V.

Although the level and pace of population aging display high geographical variability, virtually all countries have been experiencing growth in their elderly population, particularly in developed nations. Because aging is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis and associated disease, it is of up most importance to unravel the molecular mechanisms involved in vascular aging. Telomeres are specialized DNA-protein structures located at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes whose length is progressively reduced in most somatic cells during aging. It is accepted that telomere exhaustion contributes to organismal ageing at least by impairing cell proliferation and viability. An emerging question is whether telomere erosion contributes to atherosclerosis. Here we discuss recent advances on the molecular control of telomere length in vascular cells, as well as animal and human studies that address the role of telomeres in vascular pathobiology. Although the interrelationships between telomere length and cardiovascular disease appear obvious, a chief question that remains unanswered is whether telomere ablation is cause of vascular injury or a surrogate phenomenon.

Publication Types:

• Review

Publication Types:

• Review