title: DNA damage and repair in atherosclerosis: current insights and future perspectives.
abstract: Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Western populations. Over the past two decades, considerable evidence has supported a crucial role for DNA damage in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. These findings support the concept that the prolonged exposure to risk factors (e.g., dyslipidemia, smoking and diabetes mellitus) leading to reactive oxygen species are major stimuli for DNA damage within the plaque. Genomic instability at the cellular level can directly affect vascular function, leading to cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and premature vascular senescence. The purpose of this paper is to review current knowledge on the role of DNA damage and DNA repair systems in atherosclerosis, as well as to discuss the cellular response to DNA damage in order to shed light on possible strategies for prevention and treatment.
authors: Institute of Clinical Physiology, CNR (The National Research Council), via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy. tiziana.cervelli@ifc.cnr.it.
authors: Tiziana
authors: T
authors: Cervelli
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Borghini
authors: Alvaro
authors: A
authors: Galli
authors: Maria Grazia
authors: MG
authors: Andreassi
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair; D006801:Humans; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology