Department of Medical Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Medicine Research Innovation Center for Cardiometabolic Diseases, Ministry of Education, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.
Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, 646000, China.
Biol Res. 2024 Sep 4;57(1):61. doi: 10.1186/s40659-024-00542-w.
Sex hormones play a pivotal role as endocrine hormones that exert profound effects on the biological characteristics and vascular function of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). By modulating intracellular signaling pathways, activating nuclear receptors, and regulating gene expression, sex hormones intricately influence the morphology, function, and physiological state of VSMCs, thereby impacting the biological properties of vascular contraction, relaxation, and growth. Increasing evidence suggests that abnormal phenotypic changes in VSMCs contribute to the initiation of vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. Therefore, understanding the factors governing phenotypic alterations in VSMCs and elucidating the underlying mechanisms can provide crucial insights for refining interventions targeted at vascular diseases. Additionally, the varying levels of different types of sex hormones in the human body, influenced by sex and age, may also affect the phenotypic conversion of VSMCs. This review aims to explore the influence of sex hormones on the phenotypic switching of VSMCs and the development of associated vascular diseases in the human body.
性激素作为内分泌激素发挥着关键作用，对血管平滑肌细胞（VSMCs）的生物学特性和血管功能产生深远影响。通过调节细胞内信号通路、激活核受体和调节基因表达，性激素错综复杂地影响 VSMCs 的形态、功能和生理状态，从而影响血管收缩、舒张和生长的生物学特性。越来越多的证据表明，VSMCs 的异常表型改变导致了血管疾病的发生，包括动脉粥样硬化。因此，了解控制 VSMCs 表型改变的因素并阐明潜在机制，可以为针对血管疾病的干预措施提供重要的见解。此外，人体内不同类型的性激素水平因性别和年龄而异，这也可能影响 VSMCs 的表型转化。本综述旨在探讨性激素对 VSMCs 表型转换及相关血管疾病在人体中发生发展的影响。
