Work

Perivascular adipose tissue: more than just structural support

Year: 2011

Type: review

Abstract: PVAT (perivascular adipose tissue) has recently been recognized as a novel factor in vascular biology, with implications in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. Composed mainly of adipocytes, PVAT releases a wide range of biologically active molecules that modulate vascular smooth muscle cell contraction, proliferation and migration. PVAT exerts an anti-contractile effect in various vascular beds which seems to be mediated by an as yet elusive PVRF [PVAT-derived relaxing factor(s)]. Considerable progress has been made on deciphering the nature and mechanisms of action of PVRF, and the PVRFs proposed until now are reviewed here. However, complex pathways seem to regulate PVAT function and more than one mechanism is probably responsible for PVAT actions in vascular biology. The present review describes our current knowledge on the structure and function of PVAT, with a focus on its role in modulating vascular tone. Potential involvements of PVAT dysfunction in obesity, hypertension and atherosclerosis will be highlighted.

Source: Clinical Science

DOI: 10.1042/cs20110151

Authors: Theodora Szasz, R. Clinton Webb

Language: English

Topic: Cardiovascular Disease and Adiposity

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Awards: TNF-alpha: a key player in erectile (dys)function, In the Penis, RhoA Activation is Enhanced by Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors, POST-DOCTORAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN INTEGRATIVE CARDIOVASCULAR BIOLOGY