Endothelial cell metabolism: A novel player in atherosclerosis? Basic principles and therapeutic opportunities.
Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western society. Despite improved insight into disease pathogenesis and therapeutic options, additional treatment strategies are required. Emerging evidence highlights the relevance of endothelial cell (EC) metabolism for angiogenesis, and indicates that EC metabolism is perturbed when ECs become dysfunctional to promote atherogenesis. In this review, we overview the latest insights on EC metabolism and discuss current knowledge on how atherosclerosis deregulates EC metabolism, and how maladaptation of deregulated EC metabolism can contribute to atherosclerosis progression. We will also highlight possible therapeutic avenues, based on targeting EC metabolism.
Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium.
Andreas
A
Pircher
Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium.
Lucas
L
Treps
Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium; Laboratory of Adhesion and Angiogenesis, Centre for Tumour Biology, Barts Cancer Institute - a CR-UK Centre of Excellence, Queen Mary University of London, John Vane Science Centre, Charterhouse Square, London, EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom.
Natalia
N
Bodrug
Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium; Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Vesalius Research Center, VIB, Leuven, B-3000, Belgium. Electronic address: peter.carmeliet@vib-kuleuven.be.
Peter
P
Carmeliet
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome; D006019:Glycolysis; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic
D000596:Amino Acids; D005227:Fatty Acids
Angiogenesis; Atherosclerosis; Endothelial cell; Endothelial cell metabolism; Glycolysis