How does endothelial damage cause atherosclerosis?
Damage to the endothelium upsets the balance between vasoconstriction and vasodilation and initiates a number of events/processes that promote or exacerbate atherosclerosis; these include increased endothelial permeability, platelet aggregation, leukocyte adhesion, and generation of cytokines.
What causes proliferation of endothelial cells?
In response to angiogenic stimuli, endothelial cells (ECs) proliferate, migrate, and coalesce to form primitive vascular labyrinths that undergo maturation and remodeling, accompanied by recruitment of smooth muscle cells to give rise to mature blood vessels.
Are endothelial cells involved in atherosclerosis?
Vascular endothelial cells (EC) play a critical role in vascular homeostasis and disease. Atherosclerosis as well as its independent risk factors including diabetes, obesity, and aging, are hallmarked by endothelial activation and dysfunction.
What is endothelial dysfunction caused by?
Endothelial dysfunction can be caused by several conditions, including diabetes or metabolic syndrome, hypertension, smoking, and physical inactivity [20]. The healthy endothelium not only arbitrates endothelium-dependent vasodilation, but also actively suppresses thrombosis, vascular inflammation, and hypertrophy.
How does endothelial dysfunction cause cardiovascular disease?
The occurrence of endothelial dysfunction disrupts the endothelial barrier permeability that is a part of inflammatory response in the development of cardiovascular diseases. As such, abrogation of endothelial cell activation/inflammation is of clinical relevance.
What promotes endothelial cell proliferation and migration?
Proliferation and migration of endothelial cells is promoted by endothelins via activation of ETB receptors.
What causes atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. Risk factors may include high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical activity, and eating saturated fats.
What causes endothelial dysfunction?
What is the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a disease of large and medium-sized arteries, characterized by endothelial dysfunction, vascular inflammation and the accumulation of modified lipid, inflammatory cells and cell debris in ‘plaques’ within the vascular wall.
How does atherosclerosis develop?
It is caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. Plaque is made up of deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin. As it builds up in the arteries, the artery walls become thickened and stiff.
What is proliferation angiogenesis?
The first step in angiogenesis occurs by the formation of a new sprout, off of the existing vasculature, mediated by tip cell migration and stalk cell proliferation. VEGF causes the activation of endothelial tip cells that migrate towards VEGF signals and is supported by stalk cell proliferation.
What does vascular growth factor VEGF commonly cause?
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), originally known as vascular permeability factor (VPF), is a signal protein produced by many cells that stimulates the formation of blood vessels.
What causes atherosclerosis calcification?
Coronary artery calcification is a collection of calcium in your heart’s two main arteries, also called your coronary arteries. This happens after you’ve had plaque (fat and cholesterol) forming in your arteries (atherosclerosis) for about five years.
How does endothelial dysfunction create plaque buildup?
While much about atherosclerosis is unknown, most medical researchers agree that it begins with damage to the endothelium, the arteries’ smooth interior surface. Damage to the layer of endothelial cells leads to the formation of plaque, made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances and cells in the blood.
What causes atherosclerosis plaque to begin developing?
Atherosclerosis: Arterial Disease. Atherosclerosis is a hardening of your arteries caused by gradual plaque buildup. Risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise and a diet high in saturated fat.