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Review
. 2014 May;35(18):1172-7.
doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehu047. Epub 2014 Feb 25.

Mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns and vascular function

Camilla Ferreira Wenceslau  1 , Cameron G McCarthy, Theodora Szasz, Kathryn Spitler, Styliani Goulopoulou, R Clinton Webb; Working Group on DAMPs in Cardiovascular Disease
Affiliations
Review

Mitochondrial damage-associated molecular patterns and vascular function

Camilla Ferreira Wenceslau et al. Eur Heart J. 2014 May.

Abstract

Immune system activation occurs not only due to foreign stimuli, but also due to endogenous molecules. As such, endogenous molecules that are released into the circulation due to cell death and/or injury alarm the immune system that something has disturbed homeostasis and a response is needed. Collectively, these molecules are known as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Mitochondrial DAMPs (mtDAMPs) are potent immunological activators due to the bacterial ancestry of mitochondria. Mitochondrial DAMPs are recognized by specific pattern recognition receptors of the innate immune system, some of which are expressed in the cardiovascular system. Cell death leads to release of mtDAMPs that may induce vascular changes by mechanisms that are currently not well understood. This review will focus on recently published evidence linking mtDAMPs and immune system activation to vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular disease.

Keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Damage-associated molecular patterns; Immune system; Mitochondria; Vascular function.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cell and/or tissue injury (e.g. necrosis) trigger mitochondria DAMPs (mtDAMPs) release. MtDAMPs are potent immunological activators due to the bacterial ancestry and once released from necrosis they can lead to vascular damage. F-MIT (mitochondria-derived formyl peptide); mtDNA (mitochondria DNA); TLR 9 (Toll like receptor 9); FPR (formyl peptide receptor); P2 (purinergic receptor); ATP (adenosine triphosphate); mtRNA (mitochondrial RNA and microRNA); TFAM (mitochondrial transcription factor A).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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