Necrotic cell death in atherosclerosis |
| |
Authors: | Wim Martinet Dorien M Schrijvers Guido R Y De Meyer |
| |
Institution: | (1) Division of Pharmacology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium |
| |
Abstract: | Necrosis is a type of cell death characterized by a gain in cell volume, swelling of organelles, rupture of the plasma membrane
and subsequent loss of intracellular contents. For a long time, the process has been considered as a merely accidental and
uncontrolled form of cell death, but accumulating evidence suggests that it can also occur in a regulated fashion. Morphological
studies using transmission electron microscopy indicate that the vast majority of dying cells in advanced human atherosclerotic
plaques undergo necrosis. Various stimuli in the plaque including high levels of oxidative stress, depletion of cellular ATP,
impaired clearance of apoptotic cells and increased intracellular calcium may cause necrotic death. Although the role of necrosis
in atherosclerosis remains ill-defined, a growing body of evidence suggests that necrotic death stimulates atherogenesis through
induction of inflammation and enlargement of the necrotic core. In addition, necrosis contributes to plaque instability by
releasing tissue factor, matrix degrading proteases and pro-angiogenic compounds. Therapeutic agents against necrosis are
limited, but efforts have recently been made to inhibit the necrotic pathway or its pro-inflammatory effects. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 PubMed SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|