Role and implications of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in atherosclerosis: still a debate

Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Chemokines and their receptors are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. CXCL12 is a member of the chemokine family exerting a myriad role in atherosclerosis through its classical CXCR4 and atypical ACKR3...

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Main Authors: Hussam A. S. Murad, Misbahuddin M. Rafeeq, Thamer M. A. Alqurashi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2021-01-01
Series:Annals of Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2021.1974084
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author Hussam A. S. Murad
Misbahuddin M. Rafeeq
Thamer M. A. Alqurashi
author_facet Hussam A. S. Murad
Misbahuddin M. Rafeeq
Thamer M. A. Alqurashi
author_sort Hussam A. S. Murad
collection DOAJ
description Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Chemokines and their receptors are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. CXCL12 is a member of the chemokine family exerting a myriad role in atherosclerosis through its classical CXCR4 and atypical ACKR3 (CXCR7) receptors. The modulatory and regulatory functional spectrum of CXCL12/CXCR4/ACKR3 axis in atherosclerosis spans from proatherogenic, prothrombotic and proinflammatory to atheroprotective, plaque stabilizer and dyslipidemia rectifier. This diverse continuum is executed in a wide range of biological units including endothelial cells (ECs), progenitor cells, macrophages, monocytes, platelets, lymphocytes, neutrophils and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through complex heterogeneous and homogenous coupling of CXCR4 and ACKR3 receptors, employing different downstream signalling pathways, which often cross-talk among themselves and with other signalling interactomes. Hence, a better understanding of this structural and functional heterogeneity and complex phenomenon involving CXCL12/CXCR4/ACKR3 axis in atherosclerosis would not only help in formulation of novel therapeutics, but also in elucidation of the CXCL12 ligand and its receptors, as possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.Key messagesThe role of CXCL12 per se is proatherogenic in atherosclerosis development and progression.The CXCL12 receptors, CXCR4 and ACKR3 perform both proatherogenic and athero-protective functions in various cell typesDue to functional heterogeneity and cross talk of CXCR4 and ACKR3 at receptor level and downstream pathways, regional boosting with specific temporal and spatial modulators of CXCL12, CXCR4 and ACKR3 need to be explored.
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spelling doaj-art-1a428290503143c4907b4deaa4fd2f6f2025-08-20T03:43:57ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnnals of Medicine0785-38901365-20602021-01-015311598161210.1080/07853890.2021.1974084Role and implications of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in atherosclerosis: still a debateHussam A. S. Murad0Misbahuddin M. Rafeeq1Thamer M. A. Alqurashi2Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi ArabiaAtherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Chemokines and their receptors are implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. CXCL12 is a member of the chemokine family exerting a myriad role in atherosclerosis through its classical CXCR4 and atypical ACKR3 (CXCR7) receptors. The modulatory and regulatory functional spectrum of CXCL12/CXCR4/ACKR3 axis in atherosclerosis spans from proatherogenic, prothrombotic and proinflammatory to atheroprotective, plaque stabilizer and dyslipidemia rectifier. This diverse continuum is executed in a wide range of biological units including endothelial cells (ECs), progenitor cells, macrophages, monocytes, platelets, lymphocytes, neutrophils and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) through complex heterogeneous and homogenous coupling of CXCR4 and ACKR3 receptors, employing different downstream signalling pathways, which often cross-talk among themselves and with other signalling interactomes. Hence, a better understanding of this structural and functional heterogeneity and complex phenomenon involving CXCL12/CXCR4/ACKR3 axis in atherosclerosis would not only help in formulation of novel therapeutics, but also in elucidation of the CXCL12 ligand and its receptors, as possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.Key messagesThe role of CXCL12 per se is proatherogenic in atherosclerosis development and progression.The CXCL12 receptors, CXCR4 and ACKR3 perform both proatherogenic and athero-protective functions in various cell typesDue to functional heterogeneity and cross talk of CXCR4 and ACKR3 at receptor level and downstream pathways, regional boosting with specific temporal and spatial modulators of CXCL12, CXCR4 and ACKR3 need to be explored.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2021.1974084Cardiovasculardyslipidaemiainflammationinjurythrombosis
spellingShingle Hussam A. S. Murad
Misbahuddin M. Rafeeq
Thamer M. A. Alqurashi
Role and implications of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in atherosclerosis: still a debate
Annals of Medicine
Cardiovascular
dyslipidaemia
inflammation
injury
thrombosis
title Role and implications of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in atherosclerosis: still a debate
title_full Role and implications of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in atherosclerosis: still a debate
title_fullStr Role and implications of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in atherosclerosis: still a debate
title_full_unstemmed Role and implications of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in atherosclerosis: still a debate
title_short Role and implications of the CXCL12/CXCR4/CXCR7 axis in atherosclerosis: still a debate
title_sort role and implications of the cxcl12 cxcr4 cxcr7 axis in atherosclerosis still a debate
topic Cardiovascular
dyslipidaemia
inflammation
injury
thrombosis
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2021.1974084
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AT thamermaalqurashi roleandimplicationsofthecxcl12cxcr4cxcr7axisinatherosclerosisstilladebate