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Nuclear Receptors in atherosclerosis: a superfamily with many 'Goodfellas'

Kondababu Kurakula1, Anouk A J Hamers, Vivian de Waard

  • 1Department of Medical Biochemistry, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology
|June 6, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Nuclear Receptors, crucial transcription factors, play a significant role in atherosclerosis. Most Nuclear Receptors demonstrate athero-protective effects within atherosclerotic lesions, highlighting their therapeutic potential.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cardiovascular Disease Research
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a complex, chronic inflammatory disease of the vessel wall involving multiple cell types and dysregulated genes.
  • Systemic risk factors include adverse lipid profiles, elevated cytokines, and hypertension.
  • Nuclear Receptors (NRs) are a superfamily of transcription factors involved in diverse physiological processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current knowledge on the role of Nuclear Receptors in atherosclerosis.
  • To focus on the functional involvement of NRs within the atherosclerotic vessel wall.
  • To examine the modulation of cellular functions in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages by NRs.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on Nuclear Receptors and atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of NR modulation of cellular functions in key cell types of the vessel wall.
  • Synthesis of findings regarding the overall impact of NRs on atherosclerotic lesions.

Main Results:

  • Nuclear Receptors indirectly influence atherosclerosis by modulating lipid profiles and blood pressure.
  • NRs directly impact cellular functions within the atherosclerotic vessel wall, including in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages.
  • The majority of studied Nuclear Receptors exhibit athero-protective properties.

Conclusions:

  • Nuclear Receptors are key regulators in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
  • Most Nuclear Receptors demonstrate athero-protective roles in atherosclerotic lesions.
  • Targeting Nuclear Receptors may offer therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis.

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