SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
Combatting Cardiovascular Ageing: A Deep Dive into Hallmarks, Pathways, and Breakthroughs
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) predominantly affects elderly individuals and is the leading cause of morbidity, disability, and mortality worldwide. Systemic ageing, especially cardiovascular ageing, contributes to the development of CVD phenotypes and outcomes. This review innovatively summarizes etiologies, risk factors, structural/functional changes, and twelve hallmarks of cardiovascular ageing, spanning molecular, cellular, and systemic levels. We propose specific rejuvenation strategies, list FDA-approved drugs, and highlight clinical trials, serving as a cutting-edge reference for intervention strategies.
Executive Impact & Key Metrics
Despite novel therapies reducing cardiovascular mortality, residual cardiovascular risk remains significantly high. Advancing age is strongly associated with structural and functional decline of the heart and vasculature, impairing adaptability and heightening disease risk. Emerging perspectives view ageing as a modifiable condition, suggesting that delaying or even reversing age-related CVD through targeted intervention may be possible. This analysis outlines a comprehensive framework for understanding and intervening in cardiovascular ageing.
Deep Analysis & Enterprise Applications
Select a topic to dive deeper, then explore the specific findings from the research, rebuilt as interactive, enterprise-focused modules.
Genomic instability is a critical pathogenic factor in vascular ageing. Studies in mice have demonstrated that local endothelial genomic instability can recapitulate key features of vascular ageing, such as increased vascular stiffness, vascular hypertrophic remodeling, loss of endothelium-dependent vasodilation, increased vascular leakage, and differential vulnerability of various arteries. These characteristics are also observed in humans. The accumulation of damaged DNA is recognized as one of the primary drivers of ageing and involves multiple processes.
| Aging and the Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) | Impact on Brain Health |
|---|---|
| BBB breakdown | Prevalent in neurodegenerative disorders (NDAs), observed in rodent models and humans, starting in middle age. |
| Impaired cerebral vascular dynamics | Altered arterial tortuosity, reduced baseline CBF, diminished neurovascular coupling, impaired CSF dynamics. |
| PBM dysfunction & remodeling | Age-associated shift to proinflammatory phenotypes, diminished phagocytic capacity, drives ECM accumulation & arterial stiffening. |
| Meningeal lymphatic structural remodeling | Reduced diameter & branching of initial lymphatics, increased endothelial permeability, atrophy of cervical lymph nodes, impairs CSF and waste efflux capacity. |
Enterprise Process Flow: Cardiovascular Ageing Progression
Case Study: Targeting Senescent Cells for Cardiovascular Rejuvenation
Since the 1960s, senescent cells (SnCs) have been characterized by an irreversible cell cycle arrest and a proinflammatory secretory phenotype (SASP), making them a critical driver of organismal ageing. Targeting SnCs has emerged as a viable anti-ageing strategy, primarily through senolytics, senomorphics, and reverse strategies. Proof-of-concept studies show that senolytic interventions can treat, prevent, delay, or ameliorate age-related disorders, with clinical trials ongoing.
Outcome: Clearance of p16+ senescent cells delays age-related pathologies and improves cardiovascular function, with ongoing clinical trials validating senolytic efficacy against various age-related pathologies without major complications reported to date.
Future Implications: Further research is needed to validate p16-3MR models, identify more precise senescence markers, and carefully weigh therapeutic benefits against potential side effects like impaired tissue repair. Developing cell type-specific senolytic and rejuvenation strategies will be crucial.
Numerous FDA-approved drugs are currently used to target mechanisms associated with cardiovascular ageing. These include agents that activate AMPK, inhibit mTOR, reduce oxidative stress, regulate insulin secretion, improve endothelial function, and lower blood pressure. Examples include Metformin, Rapamycin, SGLT2 inhibitors, ACEIs, ARBs, Statins, and Beta-blockers. Ongoing clinical trials are also exploring novel interventions.
Strategic Approach to Cardiovascular Rejuvenation
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