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Current Atherosclerosis Reports
Published in: Current Atherosclerosis Reports 9/2013

01-09-2013 | Clinical Trials and Their Interpretations (J Plutzky, Section Editor)

Nuclear Reprogramming and Its Role in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Authors: Silvio Zaina, Maria del Pilar Valencia-Morales, Fabiola E. Tristán-Flores, Gertrud Lund

Published in: Current Atherosclerosis Reports | Issue 9/2013

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Abstract

In general terms, “nuclear reprogramming” refers to a change in gene expression profile that results in a significant switch in cellular phenotype. Nuclear reprogramming was first addressed by pioneering studies of cell differentiation during embryonic development. In recent years, nuclear reprogramming has been studied in great detail in the context of experimentally controlled dedifferentiation and transdifferentiation of mammalian cells for therapeutic purposes. In this review, we present a perspective on nuclear reprogramming in the context of spontaneous, pathophysiological phenotypic switch of vascular cells occurring in the atherosclerotic lesion. In particular, we focus on the current knowledge of epigenetic mechanisms participating in the extraordinary flexibility of the gene expression profile of vascular smooth muscle cells and other cell types participating in atherogenesis. Understanding how epigenetic changes participate in vascular cell plasticity may lead to effective therapies based on the remodelling of the vascular architecture.
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Metadata
Title
Nuclear Reprogramming and Its Role in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors
Silvio Zaina
Maria del Pilar Valencia-Morales
Fabiola E. Tristán-Flores
Gertrud Lund
Publication date
01-09-2013
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Atherosclerosis Reports / Issue 9/2013
Print ISSN: 1523-3804
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6242
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11883-013-0352-6

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