Infection, Infectious Agents and Vascular Disease

Abstract

Background: Infectious agents may be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular disease and related complications. The aim of this review is to analyze the most relevant information on the common infections related to vascular disease, discussing the main pathophysiological mechanisms. Methods: In the current review, the most important evidences on the issue of infections and vascular disease were searched on Medline, Scopus, and ScienceDirect database. Results: Among infectious agents, herpesviruses, parvovirus B19, hepatitis viruses, human immunodeficiency virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, treponema pallidum, mycobacterium tuberculosis, pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus, and candida albicans seem to particularly related to vascular disease. Conclusion: Infectious agents may affect vessel’s homeostasis and functionality, both on the arterial and venous side, by means of several pathophysiological mechanisms such as dysregulation in vasomotor function, thromboembolic complications, initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, alteration of perivascular adipose tissue, recruiting inflammatory cells and molecules.

Wall Teichoic Acid Mediates Staphylococcus aureus Binding to Endothelial Cells via the Scavenger Receptor LOX-1

“…Interestingly, upregulation of LOX-1 expression on the endothelial lining is also crucial for the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis , as the resulting increase in oxLDL binding leads to overall endothelial dysfunction and increased foam cell and platelet aggregation culminating in aggravated local inflammation . This disorder might explain why bacterial infections can contribute to the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis through interaction with the damaged endothelium and with atherosclerotic plaques . Blocking of oxLDL-LOX-1 interaction by monoclonal antibodies has been found to reduce LOX-1-induced plaque formation and damage to the vascular lining in atherosclerosis models .…”