Biomarkers of endothelial activation and dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases

Endothelial activation and dysfunction is an important contributor to atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases and cardiorenal syndrome. Endothelial dysfunction is also linked with metabolic syndrome and type II diabetes. The search for specific and sensitive biomarkers of endothelial activation and dysfunction may have important clinical implications. This review pinpoints the differences in biomarkers between endothelial activation and endothelial dysfunction in cardiovascular diseases, and then briefly describes the most relevant biomarkers of endothelial activation. Biomarkers of endothelial activation include endothelial adhesion molecules, cytokines, C-reactive protein, CD62E+/E-selectin activated endothelial microparticles, oxidation of low density lipoproteins, asymmetric dimethylarginine and endocan. This review also presents an update on the novel biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction, such as matrix metalloproteinases (e.g., MMP-7, MMP-9), ANGPTL2, endogdlin, annexin V+ endothelial apoptotic microparticles, and serum homocysteine. Finally, this review emphasizes the limitations of biomarkers of endothelial activation and dysfunction in clinical setting.

Angptl2 is a Marker of Cellular Senescence: The Physiological and Pathophysiological Impact of Angptl2-Related Senescence

Cellular senescence is a cell fate primarily induced by DNA damage, characterized by irreversible growth arrest in an attempt to stop the damage. Senescence is a cellular response to a stressor and is observed with aging, but also during wound healing and in embryogenic developmental processes. Senescent cells are metabolically active and secrete a multitude of molecules gathered in the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The SASP includes inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and metalloproteinases, with autocrine and paracrine activities. Among hundreds of molecules, angiopoietin-like 2 (angptl2) is an interesting, although understudied, SASP member identified in various types of senescent cells. Angptl2 is a circulatory protein, and plasma angptl2 levels increase with age and with various chronic inflammatory diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, heart failure and a multitude of age-related diseases. In this review, we will examine in which context angptl2 was identified as a SASP factor, describe the experimental evidence showing that angptl2 is a marker of senescence in vitro and in vivo, and discuss the impact of angptl2-related senescence in both physiological and pathological conditions. Future work is needed to demonstrate whether the senescence marker angptl2 is a potential clinical biomarker of age-related diseases.