Melatonin-Based Therapeutics for Atherosclerotic Lesions and Beyond:
Focusing on Macrophage Mitophagy
Abstract
Atherosclerosis refers to a unique form of chronic inflammatory anomaly
of the vasculature, presented as rupture-prone or occlusive lesions in
arteries. In advanced stages, atherosclerosis leads to the onset and
development of multiple cardiovascular diseases with lethal
consequences. Inflammatory cytokines in atherosclerotic lesions
contribute to the exacerbation of atherosclerosis. Pharmacotherapies
targeting dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia and neutralizing
inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-12/23) have
displayed some promising although contradictory results. Moreover,
adjuvants such as melatonin, a pluripotent agent with proven
anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and neuroprotective properties, also
display promises in alleviating cytokine secretion in macrophages
through mitophagy activation. Here, we share our perspectives on this
concept and present melatonin-based therapeutics as a means to modulate
mitophagy in macrophages and, thereby, ameliorate atherosclerosis.