Gene

Kidney

Cell biology

Neuroscience

Biology

Endocrinology

Signal transduction

Neurodegeneration

Endothelial dysfunction

Immunology

Genetics

Bioinformatics

Senescence

Inflammation

Internal medicine

Medicine

Klotho

Disease

PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Phenotype

Diabetes mellitus

International Journal of Molecular Sciences

Aging causes a progressive decline in the structure and function of organs. With advancing age, an accumulation of senescent endothelial cells (ECs) contributes to the risk of developing vascular dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and neurodegeneration. Senescent ECs undergo phenotypic changes that alter the pattern of expressed proteins, as well as their morphologies and functions, and have been linked to vascular impairments, such as aortic stiffness, enhanced inflammation, and dysregulated vascular tone. Numerous molecules and pathways, including sirtuins, Klotho, RAAS, IGFBP, NRF2, and mTOR, have been implicated in promoting EC senescence. This review summarizes the molecular players and signaling pathways driving EC senescence and identifies targets with possible therapeutic value in age-related vascular diseases.

Factors and Pathways Modulating Endothelial Cell Senescence in Vascular Aging