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Murine Surgical Model of Topical Elastase Induced Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
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Telomere Biology and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Thomas Aschacher1, Olivia Salameh2, Florian Enzmann3
1Cardiac Surgery Research Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria. thomas.aschacher@meduniwien.ac.at.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|December 22, 2017
Summary
Telomere attrition, linked to aging, contributes to thoracic ascending aortic aneurysms. Measuring telomere length may predict mortality risk in patients with aortic aneurysms.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Genetics
- Aging Research
Background:
- Ascending aortic aneurysms are often asymptomatic but carry a high risk of dissection or rupture, contributing to age-related mortality.
- Biological aging involves telomere attrition, the shortening of repetitive DNA sequences at chromosome ends, crucial for genomic stability.
- Telomere dysfunction and cellular senescence in vascular cells are implicated in degenerative vascular diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the role of telomeres, telomere-associated proteins, and telomerase in the development and progression of thoracic ascending aortic aneurysms.
- To explore the potential of telomere regulation as a therapeutic target for aortic aneurysms.
- To evaluate telomere length and telomerase activity as prognostic biomarkers for mortality in patients with aortic aneurysms.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Analysis of studies investigating telomere biology in the context of thoracic ascending aortic aneurysms.
- Review of research on telomere length and telomerase activity as prognostic indicators.
Main Results:
- Telomere attrition and associated cellular senescence are implicated in the pathogenesis of ascending aortic aneurysms.
- Telomere maintenance mechanisms and telomerase activity are relevant to vascular health and aneurysm formation.
- Telomere length and telomerase activity show potential as biomarkers for predicting mortality risk in elderly patients with aortic aneurysms.
Conclusions:
- Understanding telomere regulation in vascular pathology may unveil novel therapeutic strategies for ascending aortic aneurysms.
- Telomere length and telomerase activity measurements could serve as valuable prognostic biomarkers for increased mortality risk in patients with aortic aneurysms.
- Further research into telomere dynamics is warranted for advancing the treatment and management of thoracic aortic disease.
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