Double-face of vasohibin-1 for the maintenance of vascular homeostasis and healthy longevity

The structural and functional integrity of endothelium is essential for the maintenance of vascular health. Vasohibin-1 (VASH1), originally isolated as an endothelium-derived angiogenesis inhibitor, has another function to promote stress tolerance of endothelial cells (ECs), and these functions are critical for the maintenance of vascular homeostasis preventing both pathological angiogenesis and stress-induced vascular diseases. The expression of VASH1 is downregulated during replicative senescence of ECs by the alteration of microRNA expression, and this age-associated downregulation of VASH1 might be a risk of deterioration of vascular homeostasis and age-related vascular diseases. Contrary to this expectation, the lack of Vash1 gene in mice exhibited healthy longevity. Thus, VASH1 has double-face for the maintenance of vascular homeostasis and healthy longevity. This feature of VASH1 and its mechanism will be described in this mini review.