01 July 2006
Lymphotoxin-alpha and cardiovascular disease: Clinical association and pathogenic mechanisms.
Joseph J. Naoum, Hong Chai, Peter H. Lin, Alan B. Lumsden, Qizhi Yao, Changyi ChenMed Sci Monit 2006; 12(7): RA121-124 :: ID: 452214
Abstract
Inflammation plays an important role in atherosclerotic plaque formation,rupture and thrombogenicity. Many cytokines are the most important biomediates of inflammation and itsassociated vascular lesions. Lymphotoxin-alpha (LTalpha) is part of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) familyof cytokines that mediates an inflammatory or immunologic response that can affect cell death or differentiation,and provide an important link of communication between lymphocytes and stromal cells. Several geneticand clinical studies implicate LTalpha, and its binding and regulatory partner galectin-2, as a riskfactor in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases including miocardial infarction, aortic aneurysm,and cerebral infarction. The LTalpha gene variability is also associated with an increased level of C-reactiveprotein, an inflammatory marker. In knockout mice, loss of LTalpha leads to a reduction of atheroscleroticlesion size. Together, these findings support the cytokine LTalpha as a mediator of inflammation andits association with the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. However, the molecular mechanisms ofLTalpha -induced cellular responses are largely unknown. Preliminary studies indicate that the combinationof LTalpha subunits, specific interaction with its potential receptors and other cytokines, and signaltransduction pathways may significantly contribute to the overall effects of LTalpha on the inflammation,gene expression, and functions of cardiovascular cells. More clinical and basic science studies are warrantedto further understand the role of LTalpha in cardiovascular disease.
Keywords: Cell Differentiation - physiology, Cell Death - physiology, Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology, Lymphotoxin-alpha - physiology
Editorial
01 April 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: Forty Years of Waiting for Prevention and Cure of HIV Infection – Ongoing Challenges and Hopes for Vaccine Development and Overcoming Antiretroviral Drug ResistanceDOI: 10.12659/MSM.944600
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944600
In Press
05 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Role of Critical Shoulder Angle in Degenerative Type Rotator Cuff Tears: A Turkish Cohort StudyMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943703
06 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparison of Outcomes between Single-Level and Double-Level Corpectomy in Thoracolumbar Reconstruction: A ...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943797
21 Mar 2024 : Meta-Analysis
Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Screening Tests and Surveillance Strategies in Low-Income, Middle-Income, a...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943863
10 Apr 2024 : Clinical Research
Predicting Acute Cardiovascular Complications in COVID-19: Insights from a Specialized Cardiac Referral Dep...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942612
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952