title: Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A and its Role in Cardiovascular Disease. Biology, Experimental/Clinical Evidences and Potential Therapeutic Approaches.
abstract: Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A (PAPP-A) is a zinc-binding metalloproteinase protein produced by placental syncytio-trophoblasts and secreted into the maternal circulation where its concentration progressively increases until term. In recent years, PAPP-A has been studied for its potential involvement in cardiovascular (CV) disease. However, all those studies did not provide a clear view to identify the pathophysiological links between PAPP-A plasma levels and the occurrence of CV events. In this review, starting from a complete description of PAPP-A structure and biology, we present an updated overview of experimental as well as clinical evidence on the role of this metalloproteinase in CV disease. Finally, we discuss possible therapeutic approaches to antagonize its potential detrimental CV effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ziviello
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory SciencesUniversity of Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Respiratory Sciences, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cimmino
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal and Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Ferdinando Carlo
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Sasso
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples, "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Trimarco
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples. Italy.
authors.forename: Plinio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cirillo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011487:Protein Conformation; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D011266:Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein-A
keywords: Atherosclerosis; cardiovascular disease; insulin-like growth factor binding proteins; pregnancy-associated plasma
  protein-A