Expansive arterial remodeling: location, location, location.
The artery is a dynamic organ capable of changing its geometry in response to atherosclerotic plaque formation. Expansion of the vessel diameter retards luminal narrowing and is considered a compensatory response. However, the expansive remodeling response is a "wolf in sheep's clothes," because expansion is associated with the presence of inflammatory cells, proteolysis, and a thrombotic plaque phenotype. The prevalence and clinical presentation of expansively remodeled lesions may differ among vascular beds. However, it is evident that all types of atherosclerotic arterial expansive lesions share the presence of inflammatory cells and subsequent protease activities. The potential role of inflammation and protease activity in the development of the different remodeling modes is discussed.
Pasterkamp
Gerard
G
Heart Lung Institute, Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Utrecht University Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands. g.pasterkamp@hli.azu.nl
Galis
Zorina S
ZS
de Kleijn
Dominique P V
DP
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D023421:Models, Animal; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000502:physiology; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases