Adult Vascular Wall Resident Multipotent Vascular Stem Cells, Matrix Metalloproteinases, and Arterial Aneurysms

Abstract

Evidences have shown the presence of multipotent stem cells (SCs) at sites of arterial aneurysms: they can differentiate into smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and are activated after residing in a quiescent state in the vascular wall. Recent studies have implicated the role of matrix metalloproteinases in the pathogenesis of arterial aneurysms: in fact the increased synthesis of MMPs by arterial SMCs is thought to be a pivotal mechanism in aneurysm formation. The factors and signaling pathways involved in regulating wall resident SC recruitment, survival, proliferation, growth factor production, and differentiation may be also related to selective expression of different MMPs. This review explores the relationship between adult vascular wall resident multipotent vascular SCs, MMPs, and arterial aneurysms.

Matrix Metalloproteinases as Biomarkers of Atherosclerotic Plaque Instability

“…Activation of endothelial MMP-2 can induce endothelial dysfunction and disintegrity [90]. Recruited vascular wall cells can remodel the surrounding extracellular matrix through MMPs that affect migration, proliferation, and apoptosis of endothelial cells and VSMCs [91].…”

Vascular Cells in Blood Vessel Wall Development and Disease

“…Furthermore, in an elastase-mediated AAA mouse model, SMC-specific deletion of TGFβ receptor 2 protects against aneurysm formation and attenuates medial SMC loss, MMP expression and elastin degradation (Gao et al, 2014). Interestingly, a potential role of vascular wall progenitor cells in aneurysm pathogenesis or treatment has recently been raised (Amato et al, 2015), and thus, further investigation into this cell population in the context of aortic aneurysm is warranted.…”

Targeting Stem Cells with Hyperthermia: Translational Relevance in Cancer Patients

“…On the other hand, yet few data suggest that cancer therapy with hyperthermia targeting CSCs may contribute to the inhibition of tumor growth and proliferation. On these bases, targeting CSCs with amplification of potential drug effects and cellular death with hyperthermia may be an intriguing strategy to improve the results of the current employed anti-cancer therapies, maybe using the self-renewal capability of stem cells [63-65]. Further clinical trials are awaited to confirm these promising results.…”