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Telomere shortening and ionizing radiation: a possible role in vascular dysfunction?
Laura Sabatino1, Eugenio Picano, Maria Grazia Andreassi
1Institute of Clinical Physiology , National Research Council (C.N.R.), Pisa, Italy. laura.sabatino@ifc.cnr.it
International Journal of Radiation Biology
|July 6, 2012
Summary
Ionizing radiation exposure may accelerate vascular aging by shortening telomeres, the protective caps on chromosomes. This telomere shortening is a potential key mechanism linking radiation to cardiovascular disease development.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Cardiovascular science
- Radiation biology
Background:
- Epidemiological studies link ionizing radiation to cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease.
- Mechanisms of radiation-induced vascular disease, especially at low doses, remain unclear.
- Telomeres regulate vascular aging; shorter leukocyte telomere length predicts cardiovascular disease and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review advances in biological mechanisms of telomere length erosion after ionizing radiation.
- Examine the hypothesis that telomere shortening mediates detrimental vascular effects from radiation exposure.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent advances in telomere biology and radiation effects.
- Analysis of existing epidemiological and molecular data.
- Hypothesis testing on the role of telomere shortening in radiation-induced vascular disease.
Main Results:
- Ionizing radiation exposure is associated with telomere length erosion.
- Telomere shortening is implicated in chromosomal aberrations induced by radiation.
- Evidence suggests telomere dynamics are crucial in radiation's vascular impact.
Conclusions:
- Telomere shortening is a plausible mechanism underlying radiation-induced vascular damage.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role of telomeres in radiation-induced cardiovascular disease.
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