Recent insights concerning autophagy and endothelial cell nitric oxide generation

Abstract

Although endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction contributes to the etiology of more diseases than any other tissue in the body, EC metabolism is an understudied therapeutic target. Evidence regarding the important role of autophagy in maintaining EC homeostasis is accumulating rapidly. Here, we focus on advances over the past two years regarding how EC autophagy mediates EC nitric oxide generation in the context of aging and cardiovascular complications, including coronary artery disease, aneurysm, and stroke. In addition, insight concerning the efficacy of maneuvers designed to boost EC autophagy in an effort to combat cardiovascular complications associated with repressed EC autophagy is discussed.