Academic literature on the topic 'Microvesicle particle'

For more than 50 years, there has been an interest in the nongenetic transmission of information from parents to their offspring, especially as it relates to the impact of maternal behavior on the development of offspring. One such mechanism to explain this mode of inheritance is through epigenetic alterations in DNA or histone proteins, but without changes in the sequence of DNA base pairs. Another mechanism that alters extranuclear gene expression involves synthesis of non-coding miRNAs. Paternal influences on fetal development may be mediated by signaling molecules contained within microvesicles in semen. Other experiments have focused on the placenta as a partial barrier to elevations in adrenal steroids and other stress-sensitive molecules in blood. These mechanisms also explain in part how experiences of mothers and fathers prior to mating can be conveyed to their offspring and even succeeding generations.

Atherosclerosis is the main underlying cause of heart disease. The continuous exposure to cardiovascular risk factors induces endothelial activation/dysfunction which enhances the permeability of the endothelial layer and the expression of cytokines/chemokines and adhesion molecules. This results in the accumulation of lipids (low-density lipoprotein particles) in the intimal layer and the triggering of an inflammatory response. Accumulated low-density lipoprotein particles attached to the extracellular matrix suffer modifications and become pro-atherogenic, enhancing leucocyte recruitment and further transmigration across the endothelium into the intima. Infiltrated pro-atherogenic monocytes (mainly Mon2) differentiate into macrophages which acquire a specialized phenotypic polarization (protective/M1 or harmful/M2), depending on the stage of the atherosclerosis progression. Once differentiated, macrophages upregulate pattern recognition receptors capable of engulfing modified low-density lipoprotein, leading to foam cell formation. Foam cells release growth factors and cytokines that promote vascular smooth muscle cell migration into the intima, which then internalize low-density lipoproteins via low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 receptors becoming foam cells. As the plaque evolves, the number of vascular smooth muscle cells decline, whereas the presence of fragile/haemorrhagic neovessels and calcium deposits increases, promoting plaque destabilization. Disruption of this atherosclerotic lesion exposes thrombogenic surfaces rich in tissue factor that initiate platelet adhesion, activation, and aggregation, as well as thrombin generation. Platelets also participate in leucocyte and progenitor cell recruitment are likely to mediate atherosclerosis progression. Recent data attribute to extracellular vesicles (mainly microvesicles) a role in all stages of atherosclerosis development and evidence their potential use as systemic biomarkers of thrombus growth. This chapter reviews our current understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in atherogenesis, highlights platelet contribution to thrombosis and atherosclerosis progression, and provides new insights into how atherothrombosis may be prevented and modulated.