The Important Role of Endothelium and Extracellular Vesicles in the Cellular Mechanism of Aortic Aneurysm Formation

Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Dec 6;22(23):13157. doi: 10.3390/ijms222313157.

Abstract

Homeostasis is a fundamental property of biological systems consisting of the ability to maintain a dynamic balance of the environment of biochemical processes. The action of endogenous and exogenous factors can lead to internal balance disorder, which results in the activation of the immune system and the development of inflammatory response. Inflammation determines the disturbances in the structure of the vessel wall, connected with the change in their diameter. These disorders consist of accumulation in the space between the endothelium and the muscle cells of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), resulting in the formation of fatty streaks narrowing the lumen and restricting the blood flow in the area behind the structure. The effect of inflammation may also be pathological dilatation of the vessel wall associated with the development of aneurysms. Described disease entities strongly correlate with the increased migration of immune cells. Recent scientific research indicates the secretion of specific vesicular structures during migration activated by the inflammation. The review focuses on the link between endothelial dysfunction and the inflammatory response and the impact of these processes on the development of disease entities potentially related to the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Keywords: aneurysm; atherosclerosis; cell migration; extracellular vesicles; inflammation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aortic Aneurysm / etiology
  • Aortic Aneurysm / pathology*
  • Atherosclerosis / etiology
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / pathology*
  • Extracellular Vesicles / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / pathology*