PVAT (perivascular adipose tissue) has recently been recognized as a novel factor in vascular biology, with implications in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. Composed mainly of adipocytes, PVAT releases a wide range of biologically active molecules that modulate vascular smooth muscle cell contraction, proliferation and migration. PVAT exerts an anti-contractile effect in various vascular beds which seems to be mediated by an as yet elusive PVRF [PVAT-derived relaxing factor(s)]. Considerable progress has been made on deciphering the nature and mechanisms of action of PVRF, and the PVRFs proposed until now are reviewed here. However, complex pathways seem to regulate PVAT function and more than one mechanism is probably responsible for PVAT actions in vascular biology. The present review describes our current knowledge on the structure and function of PVAT, with a focus on its role in modulating vascular tone. Potential involvements of PVAT dysfunction in obesity, hypertension and atherosclerosis will be highlighted.
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Review Article|
September 12 2011
Perivascular adipose tissue: more than just structural support
Theodora Szasz;
1Department of Physiology, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, GA 30912, U.S.A.
Correspondence: Dr Theodora Szasz (email [email protected]).
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R. Clinton Webb
R. Clinton Webb
1Department of Physiology, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, GA 30912, U.S.A.
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
March 22 2011
Revision Received:
July 12 2011
Accepted:
July 14 2011
Online ISSN: 1470-8736
Print ISSN: 0143-5221
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2012 Biochemical Society
2012
Clin Sci (Lond) (2012) 122 (1): 1–12.
Article history
Received:
March 22 2011
Revision Received:
July 12 2011
Accepted:
July 14 2011
Citation
Theodora Szasz, R. Clinton Webb; Perivascular adipose tissue: more than just structural support. Clin Sci (Lond) 1 January 2012; 122 (1): 1–12. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/CS20110151
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