title: Discoidin domain receptors (DDRs): potential implications in atherosclerosis.
abstract: Atherosclerosis, one of the most common causes of cardiovascular diseases, is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. It is known that inflammation, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMCs) phenotypic modulation and atheroma plaque vulnerability are main pathological characteristics of atherosclerosis. The discoidin domain receptors (DDRs), as unique collagen-binding tyrosine kinase receptors, were reported to be involved in the above pathogenesis process of atherogenesis. DDRs were detected on a series of cells within atherosclerotic plaques including macrophages, T cells and smooth muscle cells, and regulated the behaviors of these cells, implicating the potential involvement of DDRs in atherosclerosis. Herein we discuss the roles of DDRs in atherosclerosis, in an attempt to evaluate the value of DDRs as a therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
authors: Gui-Xia
authors: GX
authors: Ju
authors: Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha 410013, China.
authors: Ying-Bin
authors: YB
authors: Hu
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China.
authors: Mei-Rong
authors: MR
authors: Du
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha 410078, China. Electronic address: junlinjiang@csu.edu.cn.
authors: Jun-Lin
authors: JL
authors: Jiang
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000070818:Discoidin Domain Receptors; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011975:Receptors, Mitogen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D011975:Receptors, Mitogen; D000070818:Discoidin Domain Receptors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
keywords: Atherosclerosis; Discoidin domain receptors; Inflammation; Smooth muscle cells