Atherosclerosis as the Damocles' sword of human evolution: Insights from non-human apes, ancient human remains, and isolated modern human populations

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2024 Feb 2. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00744.2023. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAtherosclerosis contributes to the majority of deaths worldwide, and classic descriptions of atherosclerosis include lipid accumulation, old age, and cigarette smoking. The role of the immune system in atherogenesis is becoming increasingly accepted. Evolutionary biology provides evidence for significantly different immune responses between humans and chimpanzees, especially regarding the caspase-12 and the inflammasome, T-cell inhibitory sialic acid-recognizing lectin expression, and possibly an overreactive innate damage-associated molecular pattern-mediated response. Neurobiological stress also has a role in the development of atherosclerosis, and comparative neurobiology provides further evidence for the human susceptibility to atherosclerosis. An examination of the evolution across the genus of Homo suggests a range of possible evolutionary pressures that contribute to the immunological and metabolic factors predisposing to atherosclerosis (including migration, exposure to pathogens, and adaptations for harsh environments). This concept of genetic pleiotropy between atherosclerosis and evolutionary success is supported by modern evidence of archaic admixture and gene polymorphisms in isolated human populations. Furthermore, in recent years, emerging technologies including gene editing, designer anti-sense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNA are being employ...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology - Category: Physiology Authors: Source Type: research