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Targeting vasa vasorum dysfunction to prevent atherosclerosis

Erin C Boyle1, Daniel G Sedding2, Axel Haverich3

  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation, and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.

Vascular Pharmacology
|August 24, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Vasa vasorum, the small blood vessels supplying large arteries, are implicated in atherosclerosis development. Targeting their cellular metabolism and epigenetics may offer new prevention strategies for this vascular disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Vascular Medicine
  • Atherosclerosis Research

Background:

  • Vasa vasorum are microvessels supplying nutrients and oxygen to large blood vessels.
  • Emerging evidence highlights the critical role of vasa vasorum in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
  • Microvascular dysfunction is increasingly recognized as a key factor in initiating cardiovascular disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of microvascular dysfunction in the initiation of atherosclerosis.
  • To explore novel therapeutic strategies targeting vasa vasorum for disease prevention.
  • To discuss harnessing cellular metabolism and epigenetic modifications in vasa vasorum for atheroprotection.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on vasa vasorum and atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of current understanding of microvascular dysfunction in large vessel walls.
  • Exploration of potential therapeutic targets within vasa vasorum endothelial cells.

Main Results:

  • Vasa vasorum dysfunction contributes significantly to the initiation of atherosclerosis.
  • Targeting vasa vasorum offers promising avenues for preventative therapies.
  • Modulating cellular metabolism and epigenetics of vasa vasorum neovessels is a potential strategy.

Conclusions:

  • Microvascular dysfunction of vasa vasorum is a critical factor in atherosclerosis initiation.
  • Therapeutic interventions targeting vasa vasorum metabolism and epigenetics may prevent disease.
  • Understanding vasa vasorum biology opens new frontiers in cardiovascular disease prevention.

Keywords:
AtherosclerosisEndothelial metabolismEpigenetic regulationNeoangiogenesisVasa vasorummicroRNA

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