The molecular biomarkers of vascular aging and atherosclerosis: telomere length and mitochondrial DNA4977 common deletion

Age is the dominant risk factor for the most prevalent atherosclerotic vascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease and stroke. In human, telomere erosion and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage play a central role in the mechanisms leading to cellular aging decline. This review summarizes the most relevant findings on the role of telomere shortening and the common mtDNA4977 deletion in the progression and evolution of atherosclerosis by combining insight from experimental models and human clinical studies. The current evidence shows a link between telomere erosion and compromised mitochondrial function and provides a new perspective regarding their potential role as clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets.