title: Mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns and vascular function.
abstract: Immune system activation occurs not only due to foreign stimuli, but also due to endogenous molecules. As such, endogenous molecules that are released into the circulation due to cell death and/or injury alarm the immune system that something has disturbed homeostasis and a response is needed. Collectively, these molecules are known as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Mitochondrial DAMPs (mtDAMPs) are potent immunological activators due to the bacterial ancestry of mitochondria. Mitochondrial DAMPs are recognized by specific pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system, some of which are expressed in the cardiovascular system. Cell death leads to release of mtDAMPs that may induce vascular changes by mechanisms that are currently not well understood. This review will focus on recently published evidence linking mtDAMPs and immune system activation to vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
authors.forename: Camilla Ferreira
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wenceslau
authors.forename: Cameron G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.forename: Theodora
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Szasz
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spitler
authors.forename: Styliani
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Goulopoulou
authors.forename: R Clinton
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000276:immunology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D028361:Mitochondrial Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D009842:Oligopeptides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D009842:Oligopeptides
keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Damage-associated molecular patterns; Immune system; Mitochondria; Vascular function