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Updated: Oct 21, 2025

In Vitro Microfluidic Disease Model to Study Whole Blood-Endothelial Interactions and Blood Clot Dynamics in Real-Time
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In the balance: how do thrombospondins contribute to the cellular pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease?

Tessa Forbes1, Audrys G Pauza1, Josephine C Adams2

  • 1Translational Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom.

American Journal of Physiology. Cell Physiology
|September 8, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Thrombospondins (TSPs) are proteins involved in cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review explores TSP roles in CVD, focusing on how genetic variations, or single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), impact cardiovascular health and identifying future research directions.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Thrombospondins (TSPs) are secreted proteins crucial for cell surface and extracellular matrix interactions.
  • TSPs play significant roles in various cardiovascular diseases (CVD), including stroke, atherosclerosis, and cardiac remodeling.
  • Genetic variations in TSP1 and TSP4 (single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs) are linked to increased CVD risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an integrative review of Thrombospondins (TSPs) and their functions in cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • To examine the known properties and mechanisms of TSP single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) relevant to CVD.
  • To identify knowledge gaps and potential future research or translational opportunities concerning TSPs in cardiovascular health.

Main Methods:

  • Integrative literature review of existing research on TSPs and CVD.
  • Analysis of functional roles of TSP family members in cardiovascular cell physiology.
  • Examination of molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying TSP SNP effects in CVD.

Main Results:

  • TSPs are integral to cardiovascular cell physiology and disease processes.
  • Specific TSP SNPs (e.g., in TSP1, TSP4) are associated with heightened CVD risk.
  • The precise molecular basis for differential TSP SNP effects on cardiovascular cells requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

  • TSPs are critical players in cardiovascular health and disease.
  • Understanding TSP SNP mechanisms is vital for assessing CVD risk and developing targeted therapies.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate TSP functions and SNP impacts for translational applications in cardiovascular medicine.

Keywords:
ECMblood cellscell biologyendotheliasmooth muscle

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