Mitochondrial Dysfunction: The Hidden Player in the Pathogenesis of Atherosclerosis?

ABSTRACT: Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial inflammatory pathology that involves metabolic processes. Improvements in therapy have drastically reduced the prognosis of cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, a significant residual risk is still relevant, and is related to unmet therapeutic targets. Endothelial dysfunction and lipid infiltration are the primary causes of atherosclerotic plaque progression. In this contest, mitochondrial dysfunction can affect arterial wall cells, in particular macrophages, smooth muscle cells, lymphocytes, and endothelial cells, causing an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and intracellular lipid deposition. The detection and characterization of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is crucial for assessing mitochondria

SUBMITTER: Ciccarelli G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9861427 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature