The role of the programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the vascular diseases - aortic aneurysm

Abstract

In the paper a role of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in the vascular disease development was presented. The influence of apoptosis on the aortic aneurysm development was discussed. Characteristic cell changes concerning apoptotic cell death were described, including inducers and regulatory factors - especially Bcl-2 protein family and death receptors. According to the current multivariant theory concerning aneursym etiology, apoptosis can play the role in the decrease of the smooth muscle cell number in the medial aortic layer in the cases of aortic aneurysm and cystic medial degeneration. The role of inflammatory cells such as lymphocytes and macrophages and the factors inducing apoptotic cell death in the degenerative changes of the aortic wall is emphasized.