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Molecular mechanisms involved in endothelial cell aging: role of telomerase reverse transcriptase

Molekulare Mechanismen in der Endothelzellalterung – Rolle der Telomerase Reversen Transkriptase

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Abstract

Aging is one major risk factor for the incidence of coronary artery disease and the development of atherosclerosis. The functional integrity of the endothelial cell monolayer is essential to prevent lesion formation. Endothelial cells show profound changes with age. However, the molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Important players in the process of endothelial cell aging are reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide bioavailability, mitochondrial integrity and the activity of telomerase reverse transcriptase. This review will demonstrate the evidence that these processes are involved in endothelial cell aging and linked to each other. The future goal of understanding endothelial cell aging would allow for an anti-aging therapy to reduce the influence of aging in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

Zusammenfassung

Altern ist einer der bekanntesten unabhängigen Risikofaktoren für das Auftreten der koronaren Gefäßerkrankung und die Entstehung der Atherosklerose. Die funktionale Integrität der Endothelzellen, der innersten Schicht der Blutgefäße, ist ein wesentlicher Schutz vor Atherosklerose-Entstehung. Jedoch kommt es bedingt durch das Altern zu einer Veränderung der Endothelzellen. Die molekularen Mechanismen, die in der Zelle zu diesen Veränderungen beitragen, sind jedoch nur unzureichend aufgeklärt. Wichtige Faktoren für die Entstehung der Endothelzellalterung scheinen reaktive Sauerstoffspezies, die Verfügbarkeit von Stickstoffmonoxid, die Funktionalität der Mitochondrien und die Aktivität der Telomerase Reversen Transkriptase zu sein. Dieser Übersichtsartikel will die wissenschafltichen Nachweise, dass diese Faktoren eine Rolle bei der Zellalterung spielen, vorstellen und eine mögliche Abhängigkeit dieser Faktoren von einander darlegen. Denn ein besseres Verständnis der Endothelzellalterung ist notwendig für ein mögliches therapeutisches Eingreifen, um den negativen Einfluss des Alterns bei koronaren Gefäßerkrankungen zu verringern.

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  1. Molecular Cell & Aging Research, IUF (Institute for Preventive Medicine) at the University of Duesseldorf gGmbH, Auf 'm Hennekamp 50, 40225, Düsseldorf, Germany

    S. Jakob & J. Haendeler PhD

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Correspondence to J. Haendeler PhD.

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Jakob, S., Haendeler, J. Molecular mechanisms involved in endothelial cell aging: role of telomerase reverse transcriptase. Z Gerontol Geriat 40, 334–338 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-007-0482-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00391-007-0482-y

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