Collagens have dual functions in the extracellular matrix (ECM), acting as both structural components and signaling molecules in matricellular communication. Although collagen molecules share a common triple helix motif, the supramolecular organization helps classify them into nearly 30 different types of collagens. Collagen type VIII is a non-fibrillar, short-chain, network-forming collagen that is expressed throughout the vasculature. Collagen VIII expression is aberrant in cardiovascular, lung, and renal disease, as well as in several different types of cancer. It plays active roles in angiogenesis, vessel injury repair, maintenance of arterial compliance, atherosclerotic plaque formation and stability modulation, fibrosis, and ECM remodeling. This review presents an overview of the characteristics of collagen VIII in vascular-related disorders, from clinical significance to laboratory studies, with a major focus on highlighting the signaling properties of collagen VIII in the vascular ECM. The expression patterns of collagen VIII in human diseases and experimental animal models highlight the protein's important yet underexplored functions. A deeper understanding of its mechanisms and downstream signaling pathways may pave the way for translational and tissue engineering applications of collagen VIII.

中文翻译：

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血管疾病中的胶原蛋白 VIII


胶原蛋白在细胞外基质 （ECM） 中具有双重功能，在基质细胞通讯中充当结构成分和信号分子。尽管胶原蛋白分子共享一个共同的三螺旋基序，但超分子组织有助于将它们分为近 30 种不同类型的胶原蛋白。VIII 型胶原蛋白是一种非纤维状、短链、形成网络的胶原蛋白，在整个脉管系统中表达。胶原蛋白 VIII 的表达在心血管、肺和肾脏疾病以及几种不同类型的癌症中是异常的。它在血管生成、血管损伤修复、动脉顺应性维持、动脉粥样硬化斑块形成和稳定性调节、纤维化和 ECM 重塑中发挥积极作用。本综述概述了 VIII 型胶原在血管相关疾病中的特征，从临床意义到实验室研究，主要侧重于强调 VIII 型胶原在血管 ECM 中的信号传导特性。胶原蛋白 VIII 在人类疾病和实验动物模型中的表达模式突出了该蛋白质重要但未被充分探索的功能。更深入地了解其机制和下游信号通路可能为胶原蛋白 VIII 的转化和组织工程应用铺平道路。