Dynamic Crosstalk between Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and the Aged Extracellular Matrix

Vascular aging is accompanied by the fragmentation of elastic fibers and collagen deposition, leading to reduced distensibility and increased vascular stiffness. A rigid artery facilitates elastin to degradation by MMPs, exposing vascular cells to greater mechanical stress and triggering signaling mechanisms that only exacerbate aging, creating a self-sustaining inflammatory environment that also promotes vascular calcification. In this review, we highlight the role of crosstalk between smooth muscle cells and the vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) and how aging promotes smooth muscle cell phenotypes that ultimately lead to mechanical impairment of aging arteries. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and the role of associated changes in ECM during aging may contribute to new approaches to prevent or delay arterial aging and the onset of cardiovascular diseases.

Automated summary

Vascular aging is characterized by the fragmentation of elastic fibers and collagen deposition, leading to reduced distensibility and increased stiffness in the blood vessels. Research shows that aging promotes changes in smooth muscle cell phenotypes, ultimately resulting in mechanical impairment of aging arteries. Understanding the role of ECM changes during aging may help in developing new strategies to prevent or delay arterial aging and cardiovascular diseases.