Integrins in Cardiovascular Health and Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities

Bibliographic Details
Title: Integrins in Cardiovascular Health and Disease: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities
Authors: Karolina Ławkowska, Klaudia Bonowicz, Dominika Jerka, Yidong Bai, Maciej Gagat
Source: Biomolecules, Vol 15, Iss 2, p 233 (2025)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Microbiology
Subject Terms: integrins, cardiovascular diseases, vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, platelets, cardiac fibroblasts, Microbiology, QR1-502
More Details: Cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure, remain the leading cause of global mortality, with endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling as critical contributors. Integrins, as transmembrane adhesion proteins, are central regulators of cell adhesion, migration, and signaling, playing a pivotal role in maintaining vascular homeostasis and mediating pathological processes such as inflammation, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. This article comprehensively examines the role of integrins in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, focusing on their dysfunction in endothelial cells and interactions with inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-α. Molecular mechanisms of integrin action are discussed, including their involvement in mechanotransduction, leukocyte adhesion, and signaling pathways that regulate vascular integrity. The review also highlights experimental findings, such as the use of specific integrin-targeting plasmids and immunofluorescence to elucidate integrin functions under inflammatory conditions. Additionally, potential therapeutic strategies are explored, including the development of integrin inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and their application in regenerative medicine. These approaches aim not only to mitigate pathological vascular remodeling but also to promote tissue repair and angiogenesis. By bridging insights from molecular studies with their translational potential, this work underscores the promise of integrin-based therapies in advancing the management and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2218-273X
Relation: https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/2/233; https://doaj.org/toc/2218-273X
DOI: 10.3390/biom15020233
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/0f2c1524e94447f1a0b45473b7095c93
Accession Number: edsdoj.0f2c1524e94447f1a0b45473b7095c93
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:2218273X
DOI:10.3390/biom15020233
Published in:Biomolecules
Language:English