Telomeres and atherosclerosis

In humans and other multicellular organisms that have an extended lifespan, the leading causes of death are atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and cancer. Experimental and clinical evidence indicates that these age-related disorders are linked through dysregulation of telomere homeostasis. Telomeres are DNA protein structures located at the terminal end of chromosomes and shorten with each cycle of cell replication, thereby reflecting the biological age of an organism. Critically shortened telomeres provoke cellular senescence and apoptosis, impairing the function and viability of a cell. The endothelial cells within atherosclerotic plaques have been shown to display features of cellular senescence. Studies have consistently demonstrated an association between shortened telomere length and coronary artery disease (CAD). Several of the CAD risk factors and particularly type 2 diabetes are linked to telomere shortening and cellular senescence. Our interest in telomere biology was prompted by the high incidence of premature CAD and diabetes in a subset of our population, and the hypothesis that these conditions are premature-ageing syndromes. The assessment of telomere length may serve as a better predictor of cardiovascular risk and mortality than currently available risk markers, and anti-senescence therapy targeting the telomere complex is emerging as a new strategy in the treatment of atherosclerosis. We review the evidence linking telomere biology to atherosclerosis and discuss methods to preserve telomere length.