Review ArticleVolume 75, Issue 8, March 2020
JOURNAL:J Am Coll Cardiol. Article Link
Mechanisms of Vascular Aging, A Geroscience Perspective JACC Focus Seminar
Z Ungvari, S Tarantini, F Sorond et al.
Keywords:
atherosclerosis; endothelial dysfunction; geroscience; microcirculation; senescence
ABSTRACT
Age-related pathological alterations of the vasculature have a critical
role in morbidity and mortality of older adults. In epidemiological
studies, age is the single most important cardiovascular risk factor
that dwarfs the impact of traditional risk factors. To develop novel
therapeutic interventions for prevention of age-related vascular
pathologies, it is crucial to understand the cellular and molecular
mechanisms of vascular aging. In this review, shared molecular
mechanisms of aging are considered in terms of their contribution to the
pathogenesis of macrovascular and microvascular diseases associated
with old age. The role of cellular senescence in development of vascular
aging phenotypes is highlighted, and potential interventions to prevent
senescence and to eliminate senescent cells for prevention of vascular
pathologies are presented. The evidence supporting a role for interorgan
communication and circulating progeronic and antigeronic factors in
vascular aging is discussed.