Role of elastin and elastin-derived peptides in arterial stiffness: from synthesis to potential therapeutic interventions

The vascular wall is a composite environment made of a myriad of different cell types and a complex extracellular matrix (ECM). The latter has a direct impact on vessel function and pathophysiological remodeling of ECM is associated with alterations of vessel structure and modifications of cell phenotype. In this context, elastin plays a fundamental role. Elastin is a protein with is one of the longest half-lives in humans, and its biosynthesis is virtually completed before adolescence, thereby suffering from several alterations during its biological life. These modifications are fundamentally linked to appearance of vascular rigidity and hypertension. Generation of elastin-derived peptides (EDPs) can trigger dramatic changes in cell phenotype through binding on the elastin receptor complex (ERC). EDPs and ERC signaling are involved in the development of several vascular wall-related diseases and can amplify elastin degradation through stimulation of elastases secretion, thereby actively contributing to the development of arterial stiffness.