Therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis based on bone-vascular axis hypothesis

Abstract

As the world's older population grows, the disease burden of atherosclerosis is rapidly increasing, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite recent improvements in the control of vascular risk factors, a significant number of patients still suffer from vascular events and the progression of atherosclerosis. Aging also results in decreased bone mineral density. Since bones are a home for hematopoietic stem cells as well as reservoirs of the minerals required for vascular integrity, it is conceivable that a novel therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis treatment can be developed by focusing on the complex interplay between bones and blood vessels. The correction of mineral dyshomeostasis, disrupted bone marrow microenvironments, and triggered inflammatory cell production provide potential therapeutic options against the atherosclerotic process. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the bone-vascular link and discusses new insights into treatment targets for atherosclerosis.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Bone; Bone marrow; Calcification; Inflammation; Mineral.