title: Mitochondrial metabolism and the control of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.
abstract: Differentiation and dedifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential processes of vascular development. VSMC have biosynthetic, proliferative, and contractile roles in the vessel wall. Alterations in the differentiated state of the VSMC play a critical role in the pathogenesis of a variety of cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, and vascular stenosis. This review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of molecular mechanisms involved in the control of VSMC proliferation, with particular focus on mitochondrial metabolism. Mitochondrial activity can be controlled by regulating mitochondrial dynamics, i.e., mitochondrial fusion and fission, and by regulating mitochondrial calcium handling through the interaction with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Alterations in both VSMC proliferation and mitochondrial function can be triggered by dysregulation of mitofusin-2, a small GTPase associated with mitochondrial fusion and mitochondrial-ER interaction. Several lines of evidence highlight the relevance of mitochondrial metabolism in the control of VSMC proliferation, indicating a new area to be explored in the treatment of vascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases, University of Chile Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiong
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases, University of Chile Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Benjamín
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cartes-Saavedra
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases, University of Chile Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Norambuena-Soto
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases, University of Chile Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mondaca-Ruff
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases, University of Chile Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Pablo E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Advanced Center for Chronic Diseases, University of Chile Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: García-Miguel
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Chemistry, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Rosemarie
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mellado
keywords: mitochondrial dynamics; mitochondrial metabolism; mitofusin-2; proliferation; vascular smooth muscle cell