Regulatory Mechanisms of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Switching in Segmental Heterogeneity of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection and Its Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

Wenxiang LIU; Yu CAO; Ruifei SHAO; Li LUO; Qingqi HOU; Lihong JIANG

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Wenxiang LIU, Yu CAO, Ruifei SHAO, Li LUO, Qingqi HOU, Lihong JIANG. Regulatory Mechanisms of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Switching in Segmental Heterogeneity of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection and Its Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications[J]. Journal of Kunming Medical University.

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Regulatory Mechanisms of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotype Switching in Segmental Heterogeneity of Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection and Its Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications

Wenxiang LIU^{1, 2},
Yu CAO³,
Ruifei SHAO²,
Li LUO²,
Qingqi HOU²,
Lihong JIANG^{2, 4
,
,}

1.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery，Yan'an Hospital Affiliated to Kunming Medical University，Kunming Yunnan 650051
2.
Translational Research Center of Clinical Medicine，Medical School，Kunming University of Science and Technology，Kunming Yunnan 650500
3.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery，The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province Affiliated to Kunming University of Science and Technology，Kunming Yunnan 650032
4.
The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province & Key Laboratory of Western China Fetal Distress Prevention and Birth Defect Control，National Health Commission，Kunming Yunnan 650034，China

Abstract

Abstract

Aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection are life-threatening cardiovascular diseases whose occurrence and development are closely associated with phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs）. Recent studies have revealed significant segmental heterogeneity in aortic diseases; that is, different segments of the aorta from the aortic root to the abdominal aorta exhibit essential differences in embryologic origin, tissue architecture, molecular mechanisms, and pathological manifestations. This heterogeneity directly influence disease susceptibility, and VSMC phenotypic switching exhibits distinct regulatory networks across different segments, with molecular-level differences constituting unique "transcriptional phenotype fingerprints" for each segment. The central thesis of this review posits that elucidating the molecular mechanisms regulating VSMC phenotypic switching in different aortic segments and mapping their segment-specific regulatory networks are key to advancing the treatment of aortic disease from a "homogeneous" approach toward "segment-specific precision medicine." This review systematically summarizes recent advances in epidemiology, regulatory mechanisms of VSMC phenotypic switching, molecular diagnostics, and targeted therapeutic strategies across various aortic segments. In-depth analysis of the segment-specific regulatory networks governing VSMC phenotypic switching will provide new insights for individualized precision treatment of aortic disease.
- Aortic aneurysm,
- Aortic dissection,
- Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic switching,
- Segmental heterogeneity,
- Precision medicine

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References(52)

References

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