title: Nuclear reprogramming and its role in vascular smooth muscle cells.
abstract: In general terms, "nuclear reprogramming" refers to a change in gene expression profile that results in a significant switch in cellular phenotype. Nuclear reprogramming was first addressed by pioneering studies of cell differentiation during embryonic development. In recent years, nuclear reprogramming has been studied in great detail in the context of experimentally controlled dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation of mammalian cells for therapeutic purposes. In this review, we present a perspective on nuclear reprogramming in the context of spontaneous, pathophysiological phenotypic switch of vascular cells occurring in the atherosclerotic lesion. In particular, we focus on the current knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms participating in the extraordinary flexibility of the gene expression profile of vascular smooth muscle cells and other cell types participating in atherogenesis. Understanding how epigenetic changes participate in vascular cell plasticity may lead to effective therapies based on the remodelling of the vascular architecture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, León Campus, University of Guanajuato, 20 de Enero no. 929, 37320, León, Gto., Mexico. szaina@ugto.mx
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaina
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: del Pilar Valencia-Morales
authors.forename: Fabiola E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Tristán-Flores
authors.forename: Gertrud
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lund
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming / Q000502:physiology*; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism