Work

The Transcription Factor TWIST‐Related Protein 1 in Atherosclerosis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT TWIST‐related protein 1 (TWIST1), a basic helix–loop–helix transcription factor, participates in embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. TWIST1 significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular disorders, including pulmonary arterial hypertension, tumor angiogenesis, obesity, and ocular angiogenesis. Functioning as a shear stress‐responsive transcription factor within endothelial cells, TWIST1 governs embryonic angiogenesis and drives localized endothelial dysfunction alongside atherosclerosis in adult vasculature. This review focuses on TWIST1, synthesizing current knowledge of its biological roles in vascular pathologies, encompassing endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT), smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation, and macrophage polarization. A comprehensive understanding of TWIST1’s mechanisms in vascular disease pathogenesis holds promise for developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Source: iNew Medicine

DOI: 10.1002/inm3.70002

Authors: Xiuying Li, Chunxiang Zhang, DaoYing Wu, Suowen Xu, Bimin Feng, Paul C. Evans

Institutions: Southwest Medical University, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, University of Science and Technology of China, Queen Mary University of London, William Harvey Research Institute

Language: English

Topic: Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China