Apoptotic events in endothelial and smooth muscle cells

Abstract

The normal function of the cardiovascular system depends on several interrelated mechanisms working both in the cells of the vascular vessels (endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells) and in elements such as blood cells and humoral factors present in the blood. Many of the cardiovascular diseases are initiated by alterations in the cells of the vascular wall, which by different etiologic factors (endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis) induce proliferation and apoptosis of both endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. This apoptotic process is controlled by a diversity of cell signalling events, which originate either outside or inside the cells. Extracellular signals include cytokines, hormones, growth factors or nitric oxide that cross the plasma membrane or transduce to effect a response. The intracellular activation of the apoptotic machinery can be initiated by any stressful message to the cell with a resultant cell suicide. In the following lines, we will review the most important mechanisms that regulate apoptosis in endothelial and smooth muscle cells. © 2009 Springer Netherlands.