Abstract
Atherosclerosis is now generally accepted as an inflammatory disease, characterized by degenerative changes and extracellular accumulation of lipid and cholesterol. The evolving inflammatory reaction plays an important role in the initiation of atherosclerotic plaques and their destabilization, converting a chronic process into an acute disorder with an ensuing thrombo-embolism. Neovascularization has been, also, recognized as an important process for the progression of atherosclerotic plaques. In fact, vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque prone to rupture are characterized by an enlarged necrotic core containing an increased number of vasa vasorum, apoptotic macrophages, and more frequent intraplaque haemorrhage. Various functional roles have been assigned to intimal microvessels. This network of immature blood vessels is a viable source of intraplaque haemorrhage providing erythrocyte-derived phospholipids and free cholesterol. However, it is still challenging and controversial the relationship between the very process of angiogenesis and its causal association with the progression and complication of atherosclerosis. The selective targeting of neoangiogenesis poses a possible approach for the elimination of pre-existing and new growth of microvessels. The identification of target lesions is a critical issue, because current technologies have yet to achieve the goal of characterizing plaque morphology to the degree necessary to correctly identify rupture-prone lesions according to pathologic criteria. However, few imaging techniques can be used to detect the neovascularization within the atherosclerotic plaque in vivo. This review discusses the potential role of intraplaque angiogenesis as risk factor for plaque vulnerability.
Keywords: Angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, intraplaque neovascularization, plaque vulnerability
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title: Angiogenesis as Risk Factor for Plaque Vulnerability
Volume: 15 Issue: 10
Author(s): Rossella Di Stefano, Francesca Felice and Alberto Balbarini
Affiliation:
Keywords: Angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, intraplaque neovascularization, plaque vulnerability
Abstract: Atherosclerosis is now generally accepted as an inflammatory disease, characterized by degenerative changes and extracellular accumulation of lipid and cholesterol. The evolving inflammatory reaction plays an important role in the initiation of atherosclerotic plaques and their destabilization, converting a chronic process into an acute disorder with an ensuing thrombo-embolism. Neovascularization has been, also, recognized as an important process for the progression of atherosclerotic plaques. In fact, vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque prone to rupture are characterized by an enlarged necrotic core containing an increased number of vasa vasorum, apoptotic macrophages, and more frequent intraplaque haemorrhage. Various functional roles have been assigned to intimal microvessels. This network of immature blood vessels is a viable source of intraplaque haemorrhage providing erythrocyte-derived phospholipids and free cholesterol. However, it is still challenging and controversial the relationship between the very process of angiogenesis and its causal association with the progression and complication of atherosclerosis. The selective targeting of neoangiogenesis poses a possible approach for the elimination of pre-existing and new growth of microvessels. The identification of target lesions is a critical issue, because current technologies have yet to achieve the goal of characterizing plaque morphology to the degree necessary to correctly identify rupture-prone lesions according to pathologic criteria. However, few imaging techniques can be used to detect the neovascularization within the atherosclerotic plaque in vivo. This review discusses the potential role of intraplaque angiogenesis as risk factor for plaque vulnerability.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Di Stefano Rossella, Felice Francesca and Balbarini Alberto, Angiogenesis as Risk Factor for Plaque Vulnerability, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2009; 15 (10) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209787846892
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138161209787846892 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
Melanoma and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Treatment: Standard of Care and Recent Advances
In this thematic issue, we aim to provide a standard of care of the diagnosis and treatment of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. The editor will invite authors from different countries who will write review articles of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. The Diagnosis, Staging, Surgical Treatment, Non-Surgical Treatment all ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Role of Isoprenoid Compounds on Angiogenic Regulation: Opportunities and Challenges
Current Medicinal Chemistry Aminoacyl-tRNA Synthetases, Indispensable Players in Lung Tumorigenesis
Protein & Peptide Letters Urokinase-a Very Popular Cardiovascular Agent
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery The Relevance of Supplemental Vitamin D in Malignancies
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Cytokines in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Current Molecular Medicine Hypoxia, Lead Toxicities and Oxidative Stress: Cell Signaling, Molecular Interactions and Antioxidant (Vitamin C) Defense
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Matrix Metalloproteinases as Potential Targets in the Venous Dilation Associated with Varicose Veins
Current Drug Targets Therapeutic Neovascularization by the Implantation of Autologous Mononuclear Cells in Patients with Connective Tissue Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Mechanisms of Action of Anesthetics for the Modulation of Perioperative Thrombosis: Evidence for Immune Mechanisms from Basic and Clinical Studies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 in Vascular Thrombosis
Current Drug Targets Nonstandard Drugs and Feasible New Interventions for Autoimmune Hepatitis: Part II
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) Colchicine: An Old Wine in a New Bottle?
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Physiological Changes in the Critically Ill Patient with Sepsis
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Evolving Insights into the Pathophysiology of Diabetic Neuropathy: Implications of Malfunctioning Glia and Discovery of Novel Therapeutic Targets
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Blood-Brain Barrier: Its Influence in the Treatment of Brain Tumors Metastases
Current Cancer Drug Targets Current Understanding and Unknown Aspects of the Treatment of Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (Wegener's Granulomatosis): Opportunities for Future Studies
Current Rheumatology Reviews Cardiovascular Effects of Green Tea Catechins: Progress and Promise
Recent Patents on Cardiovascular Drug Discovery Foreword: The Year in Review: Comments on Plants, Cyclodextrins, Microbiota, and Diabetes
Current Pharmaceutical Design Multiple Roles of the Extracellular Matrix in Inflammation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Clinical Significance of Cytokines and Chemokines in Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Current Rheumatology Reviews