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Mural Cells: Potential Therapeutic Targets to Bridge Cardiovascular Disease and Neurodegeneration.
- Source :
-
Cells [Cells] 2021 Mar 08; Vol. 10 (3). Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Mar 08. - Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Mural cells collectively refer to the smooth muscle cells and pericytes of the vasculature. This heterogenous population of cells play a crucial role in the regulation of blood pressure, distribution, and the structural integrity of the vascular wall. As such, dysfunction of mural cells can lead to the pathogenesis and progression of a number of diseases pertaining to the vascular system. Cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis, are perhaps the most well-described mural cell-centric case. For instance, atherosclerotic plaques are most often described as being composed of a proliferative smooth muscle cap accompanied by a necrotic core. More recently, the role of dysfunctional mural cells in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, is being recognized. In this review, we begin with an exploration of the mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases, such as mural cell plasticity. Next, we highlight a selection of signaling pathways (PDGF, Notch and inflammatory signaling) that are conserved across both diseases. We propose that conserved mural cell signaling mechanisms can be exploited for the identification or development of dual-pronged therapeutics that impart both cardio- and neuroprotective qualities.
- Subjects :
- Alzheimer Disease genetics
Alzheimer Disease metabolism
Alzheimer Disease pathology
Animals
Atherosclerosis genetics
Atherosclerosis metabolism
Atherosclerosis pathology
Cardiotonic Agents pharmacology
Disease Models, Animal
Gene Expression Regulation
Humans
Mice
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular drug effects
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular metabolism
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular pathology
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle metabolism
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle pathology
Neuroprotective Agents pharmacology
Parkinson Disease genetics
Parkinson Disease metabolism
Parkinson Disease pathology
Pericytes metabolism
Pericytes pathology
Plaque, Atherosclerotic genetics
Plaque, Atherosclerotic metabolism
Plaque, Atherosclerotic pathology
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor genetics
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor metabolism
Receptors, Notch genetics
Receptors, Notch metabolism
Signal Transduction
Alzheimer Disease drug therapy
Atherosclerosis drug therapy
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle drug effects
Parkinson Disease drug therapy
Pericytes drug effects
Plaque, Atherosclerotic drug therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2073-4409
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Cells
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 33800271
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3390/cells10030593