Unraveling Elastic Fiber-Derived Signaling in Arterial Aging and Related Arterial Diseases

Arterial stiffening is a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and arterial aneurysms or dissections. The destruction of elastic fibers, accompanied by vascular inflammatory remodeling, is a key process in the progression of arterial stiffening and related pathologies. In young, healthy arteries, intact elastic fibers create a resilient microenvironment that maintains the quiescence of vascular cells. However, with advancing age, these elastic fibers undergo non-enzymatic modifications, such as oxidation, glycosylation, and calcification, leading to their eventual degeneration. This degeneration results in the release of degraded peptides and the formation of an inflammatory, stiffened niche. Elastic fibers degeneration profoundly impacts the phenotypes and behaviors of various vascular cells, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, and mast cells. Notably, the degraded elastic fibers release elastin-derived peptides (EDPs), which act as potent inflammatory molecules. EDPs activate various vascular cellular processes, including inflammatory secretion, cell migration, proliferation, and calcification, by interacting with the elastin receptor complex (ERC). These elastin-related cellular events are commonly observed with aging and in diseased arteries. These findings suggest that the degeneration of the elastic fiber meshwork is a primary event driving arterial inflammation, stiffening, and adverse remodeling with advancing age. Therefore, preserving elastic fibers and blocking the EDP/ERC signaling pathways may offer promising therapeutic strategies for mitigating age-related arterial remodeling and related arterial diseases.