Endothelial microparticles: Pathogenic or passive players in endothelial dysfunction in autoimmune rheumatic diseases?
Autoimmune rheumatic diseases are characterised by systemic inflammation and complex immunopathology, with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, initiated by endothelial dysfunction in a chronic inflammatory environment. Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are released into the circulation from activated endothelial cells and may therefore, reflect disease severity, vascular and endothelial dysfunction, that could influence disease pathogenesis via autocrine/paracrine signalling. The exact function of EMPs in rheumatic disease remains unknown, and this has initiated research to elucidate EMP composition and function, which may be determined by the mode of endothelial activation and the micro environment. To date, EMPs are thought to play a role in angiogenesis, thrombosis and inflammation by transferring specific proteins and microRNAs (miRs) to target cells. Here, we review the mechanisms underlying the generation and composition of EMPs and the clinical and experimental studies describing the involvement of EMPs in rheumatic diseases, since we have previously shown endothelial dysfunction and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease are characteristics in systemic lupus erythematosus. We will also discuss the potential of EMPs as future biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in these diseases.
Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom; NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Central Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom; Healthcare Science Research Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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McCarthy
Healthcare Science Research Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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Wilkinson
Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, Institute of Inflammation and Repair, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom; NIHR Manchester Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Central Manchester University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom.
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Parker
Healthcare Science Research Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Y.Alexander@mmu.ac.uk.
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Alexander
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D035683:MicroRNAs