Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 5, 2025
07:20
Exploring the Regulation of Lipid Droplet Catabolism through Lipophagy
Published on: January 31, 2025
643
Chaperone-mediated autophagy protects against atherosclerosis
Julio Madrigal-Matute1,2, Ana Maria Cuervo1,2, Judith C Sluimer3,4
1Department of Developmental and Molecular Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
Autophagy
|July 5, 2022
Summary
Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) decline contributes to atherosclerosis. Reactivating CMA shows protective effects against cardiovascular disease, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Cellular Biology
- Metabolic Disease Research
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a primary cause of cardiovascular mortality.
- Hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and aging are key drivers of atherosclerosis.
- Chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) declines with age and lipid excess, potentially impacting disease pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of declining chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
- To determine if CMA decline contributes to cardiovascular disease progression.
Main Methods:
- Studied CMA levels in human and murine vasculature during atherosclerosis progression.
- Utilized transgenic mouse models to inhibit and reactivate CMA.
- Assessed the impact of CMA modulation on atherosclerosis development and systemic metabolic parameters.
Main Results:
- CMA levels were found to decrease in vasculature with atherosclerosis progression in both humans and mice.
- Inhibiting CMA exacerbated atherosclerosis, while reactivation demonstrated a protective effect.
- Upregulation of CMA improved systemic metabolic parameters and vascular cell function.
Conclusions:
- Declining chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) plays a significant role in atherosclerosis pathogenesis.
- Reactivation of CMA offers a promising therapeutic avenue for preventing and treating cardiovascular disease.
- Targeting CMA could ameliorate metabolic dysfunction and improve vascular health.
Keywords:
Cardiovascular diseasecholesterolinflammationinsulinlysosomesmacrophagessmooth muscle cellsMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:27Autophagy
4.6K
Autophagy is a self-digesting process by which a cell protects itself from threats both within and outside the cell, ranging from abnormal proteins to invading bacteria. In this process, obsolete components of the cell and invading microbes are degraded by hydrolytic enzymes active in an acidic environment of the lysosomal lumen.
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
An autophagic pathway consists of a series of signaling events activated in response to diverse stress and physiological conditions such as food deprivation,...
4.6K
01:36Delivery Pathways to the Lysosome
6.7K
Eukaryotic cells use different mechanisms to eliminate toxic waste obsolete and worn-out substances. Lysosomes play a pivotal role in this, and hence, these substances are carried to the lysosome from other parts of the cell and extracellular space through different pathways. The most elaborately studied pathways to the lysosome are the endocytic pathways.
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
Endocytosis
In endocytosis, the cell membrane takes up macromolecules and particles from the surrounding medium. Clathrin-mediated...
6.7K
01:18Autophagic Cell Death
3.5K
Christian de Duve discovered “autophagy,” a process in which cellular components are engulfed by membrane-bound organelles called autophagosomes. The autophagosomes then fuse with lysosomes to digest the enclosed contents. Autophagy is generally activated in cells to prevent cell death. However, cell death is triggered when the damage is beyond repair.
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
Autophagy and Apoptosis
Autophagy can activate apoptosis. In normal conditions, the autophagy activating protein Beclin-1 and...
3.5K
01:30Atherosclerosis I: Introduction
73
Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder characterized by the buildup of plaques on the arterial inner wall, causing them to narrow and harden over time. These plaques comprise lipids, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue. The process primarily affects the intima of large and medium-sized arteries, reducing blood flow in any artery.Etiology and risk factorsThe cause of atherosclerosis is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay among endothelial injury, lipid...
73
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
31
Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
31
01:17Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells
4.0K
Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes.
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized...
4.0K