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Vasostatins: new molecular targets for atherosclerosis, post-ischemic angiogenesis and arteriogenesis.

Rosalinda MadonnaSerena BarachiniSandra GhelardoniLin LuWei-Feng ShenRaffaele De Caterina
Published in: Cardiovascular research (2024)
The chromogranin-secretogranin secretory proteins - granins - are acidic proteins localized in granules of endocrine cells and neurons. The chromogranin family includes chromogranins A (CgA) and B (CgB), as well as secretogranin II (SgII, once called chromogranin C). Members of this family undergo catalytic proteolysis to produce active peptides. The chromogranin A (CgA)-derived peptides vasostatin-1 and vasostatin-2, in particular, appear to protect against atherosclerosis, suppressing the expression of vascular cell (VCAM-1) and intercellular (ICAM-1) adhesion molecules, as well as exerting vasodilatory effects by enhancing nitric oxide bioavailability. Vasostatin-1 also suppresses vasoconstriction and abnormal angiogenesis. Vasostatin-1 and -2 may be novel therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, also protecting the myocardium against ischemic damage.
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