title: Mitochondrial DNA damage and atherosclerosis.
abstract: Mitochondria are often regarded as the cellular powerhouses through their ability to generate ATP, the universal fuel for metabolic processes. However, in recent years mitochondria have been recognised as critical regulators of cell death, inflammation, metabolism, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, mitochondrial dysfunction directly promotes cell death, inflammation, and oxidative stress and alters metabolism. These are key processes in atherosclerosis and there is now evidence that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and promotes atherosclerosis directly. In this review we discuss the recent evidence for and mechanisms linking mtDNA defects and atherosclerosis and suggest areas of mitochondrial biology that are potential therapeutic targets.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Box 110, Addenbrooke's Centre for Clinical Investigation, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK. Electronic address: epky2@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Emma P K
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Box 110, Addenbrooke's Centre for Clinical Investigation, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004249:DNA Damage; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D063154:Mitochondrial Dynamics; D008954:Models, Biological; D018384:Oxidative Stress
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial
keywords: atherosclerosis; inflammation; mitochondria