Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0004153 (atherosclerosis)
 77,401 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from the media into the neointima and their subsequent proliferation is important in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This process is regulated by multiple factors, including growth factors, and involves changes in the interaction of SMCs with the extracellular matrix and in intracellular signaling cascades that regulate cell movement. We demonstrated previously that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is expressed in human atherosclerotic plaques. Although HGF has been shown to promote SMC migration, the mechanisms involved in this process have not been characterized fully. In this study, inhibitory antibodies were used to determine which integrins mediated HGF-induced SMC migration. Inhibition of beta1 or beta3 integrin resulted in a significant decrease in migration. Subsequent experiments were performed to characterize additional biochemical mechanisms involved in HGF-mediated migration. HGF induced the redistribution of focal adhesions, the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (Pyk2) and their increased association with beta1 and beta3 integrins, and the production of pro-matrix metalloproteinase-2. Migration levels were significantly reduced by cotreatment of SMCs with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor, UO126, the p38 inhibitor, SB203580, or the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase inhibitor, LY294002. In HGF-treated SMCs, focal adhesion redistribution and FAK and Pyk2 activation were decreased by ERK1/2 inhibition. Neither SB203580 nor LY294002 inhibited HGF-induced ERK1/2 activation. Thus, ERK1/2 signaling may play an important role in HGF-mediated SMC migration by contributing to focal adhesion redistribution and FAK and Pyk2 activation.
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PMID:Mechanisms of hepatocyte growth factor-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell migration. 1457 99

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation is suppressed in intact blood vessels but stimulated in atherosclerosis, restenosis after angioplasty, and vein graft disease. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors, including p27(Kip1), play important roles in maintaining SMC quiescence. Levels of p27(Kip1) are dependent on attachment to and the composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Here we sought to elucidate mechanisms underlying the ECM-dependent regulation of p27(Kip1) and hence, SMC proliferation. Serum stimulation decreased p27(Kip1) levels in isolated SMC but not in rat aorta. The effect was post-translational and mediated by proteasomal degradation. We studied the S-phase-associated kinase protein-2 (Skp-2), an F-box protein involved in ubiquitination and proteasome-mediated degradation. Skp-2 protein is strongly induced by serum from undetectable levels in isolated SMCs but remains undetectable in aorta; Skp-2 mRNA is also lower in aorta. Overexpression of wild-type Skp-2 in SMCs decreased p27(Kip1) levels, whereas dominant negative F-box deleted mutant (DeltaF-Skp-2) Skp-2 increased p27(Kip1) levels. Furthermore, hyperphosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein and SMC proliferation were also reciprocally affected by wild-type and dominant negative Skp-2. Skp-2 expression was absolutely dependent on cell attachment to the ECM and was inhibited by laminin and type-1 fibrillar collagen but increased by fibronectin. Expression of Skp-2 protein, but not mRNA, was associated with focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity and inhibited by overexpression of FAK-related non-kinase and a dominant negative FAK(Y397F) mutant. Furthermore, the inhibition of Skp-2 expression by dominant negative FAK was reversed by the proteasome inhibitor MG-132. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the vascular ECM controls SMC proliferation via FAK-dependent regulation of Skp-2 protein stability.
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PMID:Focal adhesion kinase (FAK)-dependent regulation of S-phase kinase-associated protein-2 (Skp-2) stability. A novel mechanism regulating smooth muscle cell proliferation. 1520 31

Extracellular nucleotides bind to type-2 purinergic/pyrimidinergic (P2) receptors that mediate various responses, such as cell activation, proliferation and apoptosis, implicated in inflammatory processes. The role of P2 receptors and their associated signal transduction pathways in endothelial cell responses has not been fully investigated. Here, it is shown that stimulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with extracellular ATP or UTP increased intracellular free calcium ion concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)), induced phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), p130(cas) and paxillin, and caused cytoskeletal rearrangements with consequent cell migration. Furthermore, UTP increased migration of HUVEC in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)-dependent manner. BAPTA or thapsigargin inhibited the extracellular nucleotide-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i), a response crucial for both FAK phosphorylation and cell migration. Furthermore, long-term exposure of HUVEC to ATP and UTP, agonists of the G protein-coupled P2Y2 and P2Y4 receptor subtypes, caused upregulation of alpha(v) integrin expression, a cell adhesion molecule known to directly interact with P2Y2 receptors. Our results suggest that extracellular nucleotides modulate signaling pathways in HUVEC influencing cell functions, such as cytoskeletal changes, cellular adhesion and motility, typically associated with integrin-activation and the action of growth factors. We propose that P2Y2 and possibly P2Y4 receptors mediate those responses that are important in vascular inflammation, atherosclerosis and angiogenesis.
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PMID:Modulation of endothelial cell migration by extracellular nucleotides: involvement of focal adhesion kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-mediated pathways. 1584 22

Recent clinical studies have revealed that increased serum triglyceride (TG) levels are closely related to atherosclerosis, independently of serum levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Among triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRLs), remnant lipoproteins (RLPs) are considered to be atherogenic and an independent coronary risk factor. We previously reported that monocytes cultured in the presence of RLPs increased their adhesion to vascular endothelial cells. The underlying mechanism involved activation of RhoA, a member of small GTP binding proteins, resulting in activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and s1-integrin. It is also known that RLPs enter vessel walls. In another study, we reported that RLPs induced smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation, independently of oxidative stress. Recently, we identified the molecular mechanisms, in which RLPs from hypertriglyceridemic patients stimulated SMC proliferation via epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor transactivation and heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) shedding. More recently, we reported that apoB48 receptor was involved in RLP-induced foam cell formation in macrophages. The current review focused on the molecular mechanisms for the atherogenicity of RLPs.
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PMID:Remnant lipoproteins and atherogenesis. 1594 16

Type 2 diabetics have an increased risk of developing atherosclerosis, suggesting the mechanisms that cause this disease are enhanced by insulin resistance. In this study we examined the effects of gene knock-out (KO) of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D(2) synthase (L-PGDS), a protein found at elevated levels in type 2 diabetics, on diet-induced glucose tolerance and atherosclerosis. Our results show that L-PGDS KO mice become glucose-in-tolerant and insulin-resistant at an accelerated rate when compared with the C57BL/6 control strain. Adipocytes were significantly larger in the L-PGDS KO mice compared with controls on the same diets. Cell culture data revealed significant differences between insulin-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-2, protein-tyrosine phosphatase-1D, and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase expression levels in L-PGDS KO vascular smooth muscle cells and controls. In addition, only the L-PGDS KO mice developed nephropathy and an aortic thickening reminiscent to the early stages of atherosclerosis when fed a "diabetogenic" high fat diet. We conclude that L-PGDS plays an important role regulating insulin sensitivity and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes and may represent a novel model of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and diabetic nephropathy.
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PMID:Accelerated glucose intolerance, nephropathy, and atherosclerosis in prostaglandin D2 synthase knock-out mice. 1597 May 90

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death and disability in the Western society. Lipoproteins play an important role in the development of this disease and affect different cell types involved in atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Based on their density, five classes of lipoproteins have been identified which all influence cells via distinct mechanisms. Modification turns lipoproteins into atherogenic particles with a prominent role in atherogenesis. The interaction of lipoproteins with platelets has been under investigation for a number of years. Especially the role of LDL in platelet signaling has been studied intensively as platelets of hypercholesterolemic patients are hyperreactive and show hyperaggregability in vitro and enhanced activity in vivo, suggesting that LDL enhances platelet responsiveness. Several signaling pathways induced by LDL have been revealed in vitro, such as signaling via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and p125 focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK). HDL opposes the activating properties of LDL on platelets, whereas the effects of chylomicrons, VLDL or IDL on platelet function are controversial. Modification of lipoproteins is associated with the generation of new constituents with new signaling properties. In particular, the platelet-activating properties of lysophosphatidic acid, which is a constituent of atherosclerotic plaques and is generated upon oxidation of LDL, have been investigated intensively. This review provides a summary of the activation of signaling pathways after platelet-lipoprotein interactions, with special emphasis on the role of these interactions in the development of thrombosis and atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Platelet signaling induced by lipoproteins. 1661 Oct 46

Adhesion and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. These processes involve the interaction of VSMCs with extracellular matrix proteins. Here, we investigated integrin isoforms and signaling pathways mediating the adhesion and migration of VSMCs on betaig-h3, a transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta-inducible extracellular matrix protein that is elevated in atherosclerotic plaques. Adhesion assays showed that the alphavbeta5 integrin is a functional receptor for the adhesion of aortic VSMCs to betaig-h3. An YH18 motif containing amino acids between 563 and 580 of betaig-h3 was an essential motif for the adhesion and growth of VSMCs. Interaction between the YH18 motif and the alphavbeta5 integrin was responsible for the migration of VSMCs on betaig-h3. Inhibitors of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and Src kinase reduced the adhesion and migration of VSMCs on betaig-h3. betaig-h3 triggered phosphorylation and activation of AKT, ERK, focal adhesion kinase, and paxillin mediating the adhesion and migration of VSMCs. Taken together, these results suggest that betaig-h3 and alphavbeta5 integrin play a role in the adhesion and migration of VSMCs during the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
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PMID:betaig-h3 triggers signaling pathways mediating adhesion and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells through alphavbeta5 integrin. 1667 69

The renin-angiotensin system is a central component of the physiological and pathological responses of cardiovascular system. Its primary effector hormone, angiotensin II (ANG II), not only mediates immediate physiological effects of vasoconstriction and blood pressure regulation, but is also implicated in inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. The myriad effects of ANG II depend on time (acute vs. chronic) and on the cells/tissues upon which it acts. In addition to inducing G protein- and non-G protein-related signaling pathways, ANG II, via AT(1) receptors, carries out its functions via MAP kinases (ERK 1/2, JNK, p38MAPK), receptor tyrosine kinases [PDGF, EGFR, insulin receptor], and nonreceptor tyrosine kinases [Src, JAK/STAT, focal adhesion kinase (FAK)]. AT(1)R-mediated NAD(P)H oxidase activation leads to generation of reactive oxygen species, widely implicated in vascular inflammation and fibrosis. ANG II also promotes the association of scaffolding proteins, such as paxillin, talin, and p130Cas, leading to focal adhesion and extracellular matrix formation. These signaling cascades lead to contraction, smooth muscle cell growth, hypertrophy, and cell migration, events that contribute to normal vascular function, and to disease progression. This review focuses on the structure and function of AT(1) receptors and the major signaling mechanisms by which angiotensin influences cardiovascular physiology and pathology.
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PMID:Angiotensin II cell signaling: physiological and pathological effects in the cardiovascular system. 1687 Aug 27

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death and disability in the Western society. Lipoproteins are important in the development of cardiovascular disease since they change the properties of different cells involved in atherosclerosis and thrombosis. The interaction of platelets with lipoproteins has been under intense investigation. Particularly the initiation of platelet signaling pathways by low density lipoprotein (LDL) has been studied thoroughly, since platelets of hypercholesterolemic patients, whose plasma contains elevated LDL levels due to absent or defective LDL receptors, show hyperaggregability in vitro and enhanced activity in vivo. These observations suggest that LDL enhances platelet responsiveness. Several signaling pathways induced by LDL have been revealed in vitro, such as signaling via p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and p125 focal adhesion kinase. High density lipoprotein (HDL) consists of two subtypes, HDL(2) and HDL(3), which have opposing effects on platelet activation. This review provides a summary of the activation of signaling pathways after platelet-LDL and platelet-HDL interaction, with special emphasis on their role in the development of thrombosis and atherosclerosis.
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PMID:Platelet activation by low density lipoprotein and high density lipoprotein. 1687 76

Increased tissue or serum levels of oxidized phospholipids have been detected in a variety of chronic and acute pathological conditions such as hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, heart attack, cell apoptosis, acute inflammation and injury. We have recently described signaling cascades activated by oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (OxPAPC)in the human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (EC) and reported potent barrier-protective effects of OxPAPC, which were mediated by small GTPases Rac and Cdc42. In this study we have further characterized signal transduction pathways involved in the OxPAPC-mediated endothelial barrier protection. Inhibitors of small GTPases, protein kinase A (PKA), protein kinase C (PKC), Src family kinases and general inhibitors of tyrosine kinases attenuated OxPAPC-induced barrier-protective response and EC cytoskeletal remodeling. In contrast, small GTPase Rho, Rho kinase, Erk-1,2 MAP kinase and p38 MAP kinase and PI3-kinase were not involved in the barrier-protective effects of OxPAPC. Inhibitors of PKA, PKC, tyrosine kinases and small GTPase inhibitor toxin B suppressed OxPAPC-induced Rac activation and decreased phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin. Barrier-protective effects of OxPAPC were not reproduced by platelet activating factor (PAF), which at high concentrations induced barrier dysfunction, but were partially attenuated by PAF receptor antagonist A85783. These results demonstrate for the first time upstream signaling cascades involved in the OxPAPC-induced Rac activation, cytoskeletal remodeling and barrier regulation and suggest PAF receptor-independent mechanisms of OxPAPC-mediated endothelial barrier protection.
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PMID:Signaling pathways involved in OxPAPC-induced pulmonary endothelial barrier protection. 1729 25


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