Collagen and related extracellular matrix proteins in atherosclerotic plaque development

Abstract

Acute myocardial infarction and stroke are common diseases that cause disability and mortality, and the underlying mechanism is often the rupture of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. The vascular ECM and the tissue repair in the atherosclerotic lesion are important players in plaque progression. Understanding how specific proteins in the ECM interact with cells in the plaque and affect the fate of the plaque can lead to new treatments for cardiovascular disease.

Comparison of different statistical approaches for urinary peptide biomarker detection in the context of coronary artery disease

“…These collagens are part of the extracellular matrix (ECM) surrounding endothelial cells in the tunica intima of blood vessels walls and contribute to the composition of the three dimensional network of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC), fibronectin and proteoglycan-rich layers of the tunica media as well as the composition of the fibroblast-rich tunica adventitia [32, 33]. Both, type I and III collagens are further responsible for the strength and integrity of the fibrous cap of atherosclerotic plaques and contribute to the modulation of cellular responses within it [32–34]. Initial accumulation of collagens as part of the fibrotic remodelling associated atherosclerosis [35, 36] thus confers stability to the whole plaque.…”

“…Initial accumulation of collagens as part of the fibrotic remodelling associated atherosclerosis [35, 36] thus confers stability to the whole plaque. Type I collagen can thereby comprise approximately 60% of the total protein content of an atherosclerotic plaque and plays, in addition to proteoglycans, an active role in lipid retention [34]. Later atherogenic alterations of the ECM weaken the fibrous cap and thus contribute to plaque destabilization [34, 37].…”

Prediction of acute coronary syndromes by urinary proteome analysis

“…While surrounding endothelial cells in the tunica intima, collagens also contribute to the composition of the three dimensional network of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), fibronectin, and proteoglycan-rich layers of the tunica media as well as the composition of the fibroblast-rich tunica adventitia [35,36]. Type I collagen can comprise approximately 60% of the total protein content of an atherosclerotic plaque and plays, in addition to proteoglycans, an active role in lipid retention [37]. Both, type I and III collagen are part of the complex and dynamic ECM of blood vessel walls thereby also contributing to the strength and integrity of the fibrous cap of a plaque as well as the modulation of cellular responses within it [35–37].…”

“…Type I collagen can comprise approximately 60% of the total protein content of an atherosclerotic plaque and plays, in addition to proteoglycans, an active role in lipid retention [37]. Both, type I and III collagen are part of the complex and dynamic ECM of blood vessel walls thereby also contributing to the strength and integrity of the fibrous cap of a plaque as well as the modulation of cellular responses within it [35–37]. Moreover, a cap rich in fibrillar collagens and elastin confers stability to the whole plaque.…”

Functional Heterogeneity of Nadph Oxidases in Atherosclerotic and Aneurysmal Diseases

“…It is well known that unstable plaques often trigger occlusive diseases, including atherothrombosis and acute coronary syndrome. Collagens constitute a major portion of the extracellular matrix in the atherosclerotic plaque and also modulate cellular responses through its specific receptor 68, 69) . Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are secreted from vascular resident cells and immune cells in the atherosclerotic lesions, are capable of degrading extracellular matrix, including collagen and fibronectin, thereby accelerating the remodeling of extracellular matrix 70) .…”