Extracellular vesicles in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: mechanisms and therapeutic implications - PubMed
5 hours ago
- #Vascular Calcification
- #Atherosclerosis
- #Extracellular Vesicles
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key regulators of intercellular communication in atherosclerosis, involved in arterial wall inflammation.
- Endothelial-derived EVs contribute to early lesion formation by impairing endothelial function, promoting leukocyte adhesion, and increasing oxidative stress.
- Platelet- and leukocyte-derived EVs amplify monocyte recruitment, cytokine release, and thrombotic signaling within developing plaques.
- EVs influence macrophage foam cell formation and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) switching towards synthetic or osteogenic states, affecting cholesterol handling and extracellular matrix remodeling.
- EVs drive vascular calcification by serving as nucleation sites for hydroxyapatite deposition, contributing to plaque instability and arterial stiffness.
- EVs offer potential as biomarkers for atherosclerosis monitoring and therapeutic targets through modulation of their release, cargo, or engineered delivery systems.