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Bcl-2 protein family: Implications in vascular apoptosis and atherosclerosis

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Abstract

Apoptosis has been recognized as a central component in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, in addition to the other human pathologies such as cancer and diabetes. The pathophysiology of atherosclerosis is complex, involving both apoptosis and proliferation at different phases of its progression. Oxidative modification of lipids and inflammation differentially regulate the apoptotic and proliferative responses of vascular cells during progression of the atherosclerotic lesion. Bcl-2 proteins act as the major regulators of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis signalling pathways and more recently it has become evident that they mediate the apoptotic response of vascular cells in response to oxidation and inflammation either in a provocative or an inhibitory mode of action. Here we address Bcl-2 proteins as major therapeutic targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis and underscore the need for the novel preventive and therapeutic interventions against atherosclerosis, which should be designed in the light of molecular mechanisms regulating apoptosis of vascular cells in atherosclerotic lesions.

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Abbreviations

Bcl-2:

B cell leukemia/lymphoma-2

Caspases:

cysteinyl-directed aspartate-specific proteases

Endo G:

endonuclease G

TRADD:

TNFR-associated death domain protein

FADD:

Fas-associated death domain protein

Daxx:

death-associated protein 6

RIP:

receptor interacting protein

RAIDD:

RIP-associated Protein with a Death Domain

FLIP:

FLICE inhibitory protein

cIAP:

cellular inhibitor of apoptosis protein-1

SMC:

smooth muscle cell

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  1. Biological Sciences and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, 34956, Orhanli, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ozgur Kutuk & Huveyda Basaga

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  1. Ozgur Kutuk
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  2. Huveyda Basaga
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Correspondence to Huveyda Basaga.

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Kutuk, O., Basaga, H. Bcl-2 protein family: Implications in vascular apoptosis and atherosclerosis. Apoptosis 11, 1661–1675 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10495-006-9402-7

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