Research progress of endothelial mesenchymal transition in atherosclerosis / 中国药理学通报

ABSTRACT

Endothelial to mesenchymal transition(EndMT) plays a major role during organism development, and also contributes to several adult cardiovascular diseases.EndMT-derived fibroblast-like cells are common in atherosclerotic lesions.Pro-atherosclerosis factors, such as oxidative stress, hypoxia, inflammatory cytokines and oscillatory fluid shear stress can promote EndMT.EndMT is closely associated with plaque calcification, and unstable and ruptured plaque phenotype that may prone to cause clinical events.EndMT may be another key step in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.Here, we reviewed the role played by endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EndMT) and its key regulators in atherosclerosis.