The role of glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans in atherosclerosis

Abstract

Numerous studies point out to the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and proteoglycans (PG) in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Both GAG and PG take part in the formation of tunica intima and tunica media, contribute to the neointima formation, and can be found in the glycocalix layer. These molecules influence many properties of blood vessels, such as permeability, viscoelasticity, hemostasis, lipid metabolism, and extracellular matrix organization. The PG from atherosclerotic arteries had higher binding affinity for LDL, which suggests that alterations in the vascular PG contents predispose to atherosclerosis development. Atherogenic LP retained in the intima in association with GAG/PG, undergo several modifications, such as the oxidation or aggregation. LDL exposed to CS PG is more susceptible to such modification, which favours uptake by the macrophages. Moreover, oxy-LDL stimulated SMC to synthesize longer chains GAG and enhanced LDL binding properties. For this reason GAG structure and metabolism are the potential targets of the therapeutic investigation.