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Quantitative Analysis of Cellular Composition in Advanced Atherosclerotic Lesions of Smooth Muscle Cell Lineage-Tracing Mice
Published on: February 20, 2019
Therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis based on bone-vascular axis hypothesis
Jeong-Min Kim1, Wang-Soo Lee2, Jaetaek Kim3
1Department of Neurology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Atherosclerosis impacts aging populations, increasing disease burden. Targeting the bone-vascular link, including mineral balance and bone marrow, offers novel therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis treatment.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Vascular Biology
- Bone Biology
Background:
- The global population is aging, leading to a rising burden of atherosclerosis, a major cause of morbidity and mortality.
- Despite advancements in managing vascular risk factors, vascular events and atherosclerosis progression persist.
- Aging is associated with decreased bone mineral density, impacting hematopoietic stem cells and vascular integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in understanding the bone-vascular link.
- To explore novel therapeutic strategies for atherosclerosis by focusing on the bone-vascular interplay.
- To discuss new treatment targets for atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent scientific advances.
- Analysis of the complex interplay between bone health and vascular integrity.
- Identification of potential therapeutic targets related to bone metabolism and inflammation.
Main Results:
- Aging significantly impacts bone health, affecting bone marrow microenvironments and hematopoietic stem cell function.
- Mineral dyshomeostasis and inflammation originating from bone contribute to atherosclerosis.
- The bone-vascular axis presents promising avenues for novel atherosclerosis therapies.
Conclusions:
- The intricate relationship between bone and vascular systems offers a new paradigm for treating atherosclerosis.
- Interventions targeting mineral homeostasis, bone marrow microenvironments, and inflammation show therapeutic potential.
- Further research into the bone-vascular link is crucial for developing effective atherosclerosis treatments.
Abstract:
As the world's older population grows, the disease burden of atherosclerosis is rapidly increasing, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite recent improvements in the control of vascular risk factors, a significant number of patients still suffer from vascular events and the progression of atherosclerosis. Aging also results in decreased bone mineral density. Since bones are a home for hematopoietic stem cells as well as reservoirs of the minerals required for vascular integrity, it is conceivable that a novel therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis treatment can be developed by focusing on the complex interplay between bones and blood vessels. The correction of mineral dyshomeostasis, disrupted bone marrow microenvironments, and triggered inflammatory cell production provide potential therapeutic options against the atherosclerotic process. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the bone-vascular link and discusses new insights into treatment targets for atherosclerosis.
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