MOLECULAR PATHWAYS AND GENE EXPRESSION PROFILES IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive cardiovascular condition marked by the accumulation of lipid-laden plaques in the arterial walls, resulting in diminished blood flow, arterial rigidity, and an elevated risk of severe complications, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. This disease process is influenced by a complex interaction of genetic, molecular, and environmental variables that affect endothelial dysfunction, lipid metabolism, inflammatory responses, immune system activation, and vascular remodelling(Linton et al. 2000; Morrison, Sullivan, and Aday 2023). The development of atherosclerosis begins with the degradation of the endothelium in blood vessels, often triggered by oxidative stress, high cholesterol levels (hyperlipidaemia), high blood pressure (hypertension), diabetes, smoking, and various other risk factors (Jebari-Benslaiman et al. 2022; Rafieian-Kopaei et al. 2014).