Gene/Protein
Disease
Symptom
Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Pivot Concepts:
Gene/Protein
Disease
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Drug
Enzyme
Compound
Target Concepts:
Gene/Protein
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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (
atherosclerosis
)
77,401
document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)
Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotypic conversion from a contractile to 'synthetic' state contributes to vascular pathologies including restenosis,
atherosclerosis
and vascular calcification. We have recently found that the secretion of exosomes is a feature of 'synthetic' VSMCs and that exosomes are novel players in vascular repair processes as well as pathological vascular thrombosis and calcification. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors as well as mineral imbalance stimulate exosome secretion by VSMCs, most likely by the activation of
sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 3
(
SMPD3
) and cytoskeletal remodelling. Calcium stress induces dramatic changes in VSMC exosome composition and accumulation of phosphatidylserine (PS), annexin A6 and matrix metalloproteinase-2, which converts exosomes into a nidus for calcification. In addition, by presenting PS, VSMC exosomes can also provide the catalytic surface for the activation of coagulation factors. Recent data showing that VSMC exosomes are loaded with proteins and miRNA regulating cell adhesion and migration highlight VSMC exosomes as potentially important communication messengers in vascular repair. Thus, the identification of signalling pathways regulating VSMC exosome secretion, including activation of
SMPD3
and cytoskeletal rearrangements, opens up novel avenues for a deeper understanding of vascular remodelling processes.
...
PMID:Emerging roles for vascular smooth muscle cell exosomes in calcification and coagulation. 2686 64
