Affiliation:
1. CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, 56124 Pisa, Italy
2. Health Science Interdisciplinary Center, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, 56124 Pisa, Italy
3. CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, 20142 Milano, Italy
Abstract
Telomere dysfunction is implicated in vascular aging and shorter leucocyte telomeres are associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Another pathophysiological mechanism that explains the causal relationship between telomere shortening and atherosclerosis development focuses on the clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), which represents a new and independent risk factor in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Since telomere attrition has a central role in driving vascular senescence, understanding telomere biology is essential to modulate the deleterious consequences of vascular aging and its cardiovascular disease-related manifestations. Emerging evidence indicates that a class of long noncoding RNAs transcribed at telomeres, known as TERRA for “TElomeric Repeat-containing RNA”, actively participates in the mechanisms regulating telomere maintenance and chromosome end protection. However, the multiple biological functions of TERRA remain to be largely elucidated. In particular, the role of TERRA in vascular biology is surprisingly unknown. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge of TERRA and its roles in telomere biology. Additionally, we outline the pieces of evidence that exist regarding the relationship between TERRA dysregulation and disease. Finally, we speculate on how a comprehensive understanding of TERRA transcription in the cardiovascular system may provide valuable insights into telomere-associated vascular aging, offering great potential for new therapeutic approaches.
Funder
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan
Investment PE8—Project Age-It: “Ageing Well in an Ageing Society”
Subject
General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,Medicine (miscellaneous)
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