Modulation of Endothelial Function by TMAO, a Gut Microbiota-Derived Metabolite

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 24; no. 6; p. 5806
• Main Authors: Querio, Giulia, Antoniotti, Susanna, Geddo, Federica, Levi, Renzo, Gallo, Maria Pia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 01.03.2023; MDPI
• Subjects: angiocrine factors; Arteriosclerosis; Atherosclerosis; B cells; Cytokines; Diet; Endothelium; Enzymes; Exercise; Gastrointestinal Microbiome - physiology; Growth factors; gut microbiota; Homeostasis; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammatory response; Influence; Intercellular adhesion molecule 1; Interleukin 6; Intestinal microflora; Metabolites; Methylamines - metabolism; Microbiota; Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms); Nitric oxide; Phosphorylation; Review; Selectins; Smooth muscle; TMAO; Trimethylamine; Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1; Vascular Diseases; vascular function; TMAO; endothelium; vascular function; angiocrine factors; gut microbiota
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065806

Endothelial function is essential in the maintenance of systemic homeostasis, whose modulation strictly depends on the proper activity of tissue-specific angiocrine factors on the physiopathological mechanisms acting at both single and multi-organ levels. Several angiocrine factors take part in the vascular function itself by modulating vascular tone, inflammatory response, and thrombotic state. Recent evidence has outlined a strong relationship between endothelial factors and gut microbiota-derived molecules. In particular, the direct involvement of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) in the development of endothelial dysfunction and its derived pathological outcomes, such as atherosclerosis, has come to light. Indeed, the role of TMAO in the modulation of factors strictly related to the development of endothelial dysfunction, such as nitric oxide, adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and selectins), and IL-6, has been widely accepted. The aim of this review is to present the latest studies that describe a direct role of TMAO in the modulation of angiocrine factors primarily involved in the development of vascular pathologies.