The Light and Shadow of Senescence and Inflammation in Cardiovascular Pathology and Regenerative Medicine

Recent epidemiologic studies evidence a dramatic increase of cardiovascular diseases, especially associated with the aging of the world population. During aging, the progressive impairment of the cardiovascular functions results from the compromised tissue abilities to protect the heart against stre...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Laura Iop, Eleonora Dal Sasso, Leonardo Schirone, Maurizio Forte, Mariangela Peruzzi, Elena Cavarretta, Silvia Palmerio, Gino Gerosa, Sebastiano Sciarretta, Giacomo Frati
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Mediators of Inflammation
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/7953486
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Recent epidemiologic studies evidence a dramatic increase of cardiovascular diseases, especially associated with the aging of the world population. During aging, the progressive impairment of the cardiovascular functions results from the compromised tissue abilities to protect the heart against stress. At the molecular level, in fact, a gradual weakening of the cellular processes regulating cardiovascular homeostasis occurs in aging cells. Atherosclerosis and heart failure are particularly correlated with aging-related cardiovascular senescence, that is, the inability of cells to progress in the mitotic program until completion of cytokinesis. In this review, we explore the intrinsic and extrinsic causes of cellular senescence and their role in the onset of these cardiovascular pathologies. Additionally, we dissect the effects of aging on the cardiac endogenous and exogenous reservoirs of stem cells. Finally, we offer an overview on the strategies of regenerative medicine that have been advanced in the quest for heart rejuvenation.
ISSN:0962-9351
1466-1861