Conceptual novelities in atherogenesis: smooth muscle cells, adventitia, and adipose tissue

Abstract

Here the questions we are dancing round include conceptually new findings about the role of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC), adventitia, and adipose tissue, particularly, arteryassociated adipose tissue (AAAT) in the formation and dynamics of atherosclerotic lesions. THE SMOOTH MUSCLE CELL: OCCLUSION VERSUS RUPTUREThe arterial SMC is a pleiotropic cell capable of phenotypic modulation associated with secretion of multiple matrix molecules as well as mediators of cell growth, migration, inflammation, and healing (1-4). Today, Russell Ross' response-toinjury paradigm (1), established by 1973, is still the prevailing understanding of atherogenesis. It states that "the lesions of atherosclerosis represent a protective, inflammatoryfibroproliferative response" that involves several aspects of vascular wound healing. Proliferation, migration, and secretory activities of SMC are determinantly implicated in this intimal phenomenon (1-4). Consequently, modulation of arterial SMC from contractile to secretory phenotype resulting in cell proliferation and matrix molecule oversecretion has, for

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“…Unstable and stable plaque are depicted at the lower part of figure (the bidirectional arrows mark the big question in atherosclerotic plaque's fate, which is critical for the human life). From Chaldakov et al ().…”

“…Unstable and stable plaque are depicted at the lower part of figure (the bidirectional arrows mark the big question in atherosclerotic plaque's fate, which is critical for the human life). From Chaldakov et al (2000). my brain-and-heart friends (BHF) Anna Kadar, Peter I. Ghenev, J€ org Gr€ unwald, Yukio Yamori, Toru Nabika, Takashi Fujiwara, Luigi Aloe, Marco Fiore, Plamen Panayotov, Antonia R. Kisheva, Anton B. Tonchev and Stanislav Yanev.…”