Research Progress on Integrin-Mediated Regulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Transformation in Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis(AS)is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease and the main patho-logical basis for numerous cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.The pathogenesis of AS is complex and not yet fully elucidated.Vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)are one of the main cell types that constitute the vascular wall.They are involved in regulating the systolic and dias-tolic functions of the vascular wall and maintaining the vascular tone.However,under the stimu-lation of AS promoting factors,the phenotypic switch occurs in systolic VSMCs,exhibiting char-acteristics such as proliferation,migration,adhesion,and calcification,which may directly lead to the formation or rupture of AS plaques.Integrins play a critical role in coordinating the trans-membrane connections between the extracellular matrix and cytoskeleton,contributing to patho-logical processes of various diseases.They also play key roles in regulating the transdifferentia-tion of VSMCs into mesenchymal stem cells,myofibroblasts,macrophages,osteoblasts,and other cell types.To conclude,integrins can indirectly affect the formation and progression of AS by regulating the phenotypic transformation of VSMC,thereby presenting the potential as a new therapeutic target for AS.In this article,we review the classification of VSMC phenotypic trans-formation and the regulatory role of integrins in VSMC phenotypic transformation,aiming to provide new targets and strategies for the early treatment and intervention of AS.
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