Zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 1 and atherosclerosis: New insights and therapeutic potential

Abstract

Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), an important transcription factor belonging to the ZEB family, plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression required for both normal physiological and pathological processes. Accumulating evidence has shown that ZEB1 participates in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Recent studies suggest that ZEB1 protects against atherosclerosis by regulation of endothelial cell angiogenesis, endothelial dysfunction, monocyteendothelial cell interaction, macrophage lipid accumulation, macrophage polarization, monocyte-vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) interaction, VSMC proliferation and migration, and T cell proliferation. In this review, we summarize the recent progress of ZEB1 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and provide insights into the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

The role of interleukin-27 in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases: A review

“…Сердечно-сосудистые заболевания (ССЗ) представляют собой основной фактор инвалидизации и преждевременной смерти во всем мире [1]. По данным Всемирной организации здравоохранения, на ССЗ приходится более 17 млн смертей в год, и по прогнозам, этот показатель к 2030 г. превысит 23 млн [2,3].…”

Investigating the Role of Zinc in Atherosclerosis: A Review

“…The activator of KLF2 presented anti-inflammatory effects and attenuated the adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells, which could be a promising therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis [ 53 ]. Other ZFPs, such as KLF14, zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1), and early growth response gene-1 (Egr-1), also participate in the regulation of atherogenesis [ 54 , 55 , 56 ].…”

“…VSMCs in the plaque exhibit a co-expression of both VSMC- and macrophage-specific biomarkers, and the concomitant macrophage properties, such as secreting pro-inflammatory molecules and inducing the migration of inflammatory cells [ 104 , 106 ]. These findings indicate a potential dual role of VSMCs in atherogenesis, and zinc might influence the progress by regulating the function of transcription factors containing zinc-finger structures, such as KLF4 and ZEB1 [ 55 , 81 , 108 ].…”

“…Overexpression of ZEB1 could inhibit the endogenous expression of SREBP-2, thereby regulating the metabolism of cellular cholesterol [ 157 ]. Evidence also suggested that ZEB1 can regulate the expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) to reduce lipid accumulation in macrophages [ 55 ]. KLF2 is another important zinc finger transcription factor involved in macrophage form cell formation.…”

Interleukin-22: a potential therapeutic target in atherosclerosis

“…Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent the major factor of disability and premature death worldwide. Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) revealed that CVD accounts for > 17 million deaths per year and this figure will rise to over 23 million by the year 2030 (GBD 2015 Risk Factors Collaborators 2016 ; Li et al 2021a ). It is well known that atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the vascular wall, which is recognized as the underlying basis of many CVDs, such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.…”