Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0042373 (vascular disease)
 17,070 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) is the most common retinal vascular disorder second to diabetic retinopathy. The main risk factors in patients with RVO are hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, increased blood viscosity and glaucoma. The pathogenesis of RVO has not yet been clarified. In these events platelets could play a very important role. In the present study the platelet response to collagen was deeply investigated. Experiments were carried out on a selected group of RVO patients, which were compared to a group of healthy subjects matched for age, sex, clinical and metabolic characteristics. In resting and activated platelets of both groups of subjects p72syk phosphorylation, phospholipase Cgamma2 phosphorylation, protein kinase C activation, intra-cellular calcium levels and nitric oxide formation were measured. Results show that platelets of patients were more responsive to collagen or ADP than healthy subjects and that the response was significantly different (p < 0.0005) at low concentrations of these agonists. In platelets of patients stimulated with collagen increased phosphorylation of p72syk and phospholipase Cgamma2 was found. Also protein kinase C was more activated in patients. In addition intracellular calcium rise induced by collagen was significantly higher in patients than in healthy subjects. RVO patients showed a lower basal level of nitric oxide both in resting and stimulated platelets compared to healthy subjects. Altogether these results suggest that the platelet hyperaggregability described in patients might be an important factor in the development of RVO contributing to the thrombogenic effects.
 ...
PMID:Platelet activation by collagen is increased in retinal vein occlusion. 1726 50

Uncoupling of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) resulting in superoxide anion (O(2)(-)) formation instead of nitric oxide (NO) causes diabetic endothelial dysfunction. eNOS regulates mobilization and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), key regulators of vascular repair. We postulate a role of eNOS uncoupling for reduced number and function of EPC in diabetes. EPC levels in diabetic patients were significantly reduced compared with those of control subjects. EPCs from diabetic patients produced excessive O(2)(-) and showed impaired migratory capacity compared with nondiabetic control subjects. NOS inhibition with N(G)-nitro-l-arginine attenuated O(2)(-) production and normalized functional capacity of EPCs from diabetic patients. Glucose-mediated EPC dysfunction was protein kinase C dependent, associated with reduced intracellular BH(4) (tetrahydrobiopterin) concentrations, and reversible after exogenous BH(4) treatment. Activation of NADPH oxidases played an additional but minor role in glucose-mediated EPC dysfunction. In rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes, circulating EPCs were reduced to 39 +/- 5% of controls and associated with uncoupled eNOS in bone marrow. Our results identify uncoupling of eNOS in diabetic bone marrow, glucose-treated EPCs, and EPCs from diabetic patients resulting in eNOS-mediated O(2)(-) production. Subsequent reduction of EPC levels and impairment of EPC function likely contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular disease in diabetes.
 ...
PMID:Endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling impairs endothelial progenitor cell mobilization and function in diabetes. 1732 34

Vascular complications are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes. Four main molecular mechanisms have been implicated in glucose-mediated vascular disease. There are: glucose-induced activation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms; increased formation of glucose-derived advanced glycation end-products (AGE); increased glucose flux through the aldose reductase pathway; and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we demonstrate that hyperglycemia-induced production of ROS is abrogated by inhibitors of mitochondrial metabolism, or by overexpression of uncoupling protein-1 or manganese superoxide dismutase. Normalization of mitochondrial ROS production by each of these agents prevents glucose-induced activation of PKC, formation of AGE, and accumulation of sorbitol in bovine vascular endothelial cells. We also claim that 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, which represents mitochondrial oxidative damage was elevated in patients with either retinopathy, albuminuria or increased intima-media thickness of carotid arteries. These results suggest that hyperglycemia induces mitochondrial ROS production, and which can associate to the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications.
 ...
PMID:Impact of mitochondrial ROS production on diabetic vascular complications. 1745 60

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease caused by inherited and/or acquired deficiency in production of insulin by the pancreas, and by resistance to insulin's effects. Such a deficiency results in increased concentrations of glucose and other metabolites in the blood, which in turn damages many of the body's systems, in particular the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and blood vessels. There are two major types of diabetes mellitus: Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes, IDDM or juvenile onset diabetes) and Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes, NIDDM or adult-onset). Chronic hyperglycemia is a major initiator of diabetic micro- and cardiovascular complications, such as retinopathy, neuropathy and nephropathy. Several hyperglycemia-induced mechanisms may induce vascular dysfunctions, which include increased polyol pathway flux, altered cellular redox state, increased formation of diacylglycerol (DAG) and the subsequent activation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms and accelerated non-enzymatic formation of advanced glycated end products. It is likely that each of these mechanisms may contribute to the known pathophysiologic features of diabetic complications. Others and we have shown that activation of the DAG-PKC pathway is associated with many vascular abnormalities in the retinal, renal, neural and cardiovascular tissues in diabetes mellitus. DAG-PKC pathway affects cardiovascular function in many ways, such as the regulation of endothelial permeability, vasoconstriction, extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis/turnover, cell growth, angiogenesis, cytokine activation and leucocyte adhesion, to name a few. Increased DAG levels and PKC activity, especially alpha, beta1/2 and delta isoforms in retina, aorta, heart, renal glomeruli and circulating macrophages have been reported in diabetes. Increased PKC activation have been associated with changes in blood flow, basement membrane thickening, extracellular matrix expansion, increases in vascular permeability, abnormal angiogenesis, excessive apoptosis and changes in enzymatic activity alterations such as Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase, cPLA(2), PI3Kinase and MAP kinase. Inhibition of PKC, especially the beta1/2 isoform has been reported to prevent or normalize many vascular abnormalities in the tissues described above. Clinical studies have shown that ruboxistaurin, a PKCbeta isoform selective inhibitor, normalize endothelial dysfunction, renal glomerular filtration rate and prevented loss of visual acuity in diabetic patients. Thus, PKC activation involving several isoforms is likely to be responsible for some of the pathologies in diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and cardiovascular disease. PKC isoform selective inhibitors are likely new therapeutics, which can delay the onset or stop the progression of diabetic vascular disease with very little side effects.
 ...
PMID:The role of protein kinase C activation and the vascular complications of diabetes. 1757 31

Diabetes is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction. The condition degrades both neural and vascular endothelium penile control systems. Experimental and epidemiological evidence suggest that both hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia contribute to the etiology. These are the driving forces for elevated oxidative stress and the formation of advanced glycation and lipoxygenation end products, the major target being the nitric oxide systems of nerve and endothelium. This causes reversible functional loss followed by less reversible degenerative changes. These mechanisms have direct effects, such as the nitric oxide quenching, but perhaps more importantly, indirect effects on the regulation of nitric oxide synthase expression and activity, which can involve recruitment of proinflammatory cell signaling pathways. The latter include protein kinase C, mitogen-activated kinases, and the nuclear factor kappa B cascade. Diabetes also changes the trophic influences on nerve and endothelium. Together, these form potential therapeutic targets against diabetic erectile function, and indeed vascular disease in general.
 ...
PMID:Erectile dysfunction and diabetes mellitus: mechanistic considerations from studies in experimental models. 1822 Jun 66

NADPH oxidases are major sources of superoxide in the vascular wall. This study investigates the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in regulating gene expression of NADPH oxidases. Treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and HUVEC-derived EA.hy 926 endothelial cells with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate led to a PKC-dependent biphasic expression of the gp91phox homolog Nox4. A downregulation of Nox4 was observed at 6 h and an upregulation at 48 h after phorbol ester treatment. The early Nox4 downregulation was associated with a reduced superoxide production, whereas the late Nox4 upregulation was accompanied by a clear enhancement of superoxide. PMA activated the PKC isoforms alpha and epsilon in HUVEC and EA.hy 926 cells. Knockdown of PKCepsilon by siRNA prevented the early downregulation of Nox4, whereas knockdown of PKCalpha selectively abolished the late Nox4 upregulation. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which activates PKCalpha but not PKCepsilon in HUVEC, increased Nox4 expression without the initial downregulation. VEGF-induced Nox4 upregulation was associated with an enhanced proliferation and angiogenesis of HUVEC. Both effects could be reduced by inhibition of NADPH oxidase. Thus, a selective inhibition/knockdown of PKCalpha may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for vascular disease.
 ...
PMID:Differential roles of PKCalpha and PKCepsilon in controlling the gene expression of Nox4 in human endothelial cells. 1829 Nov 20

The amyloid beta peptide (Abeta), a mediator of neuronal and vascular degeneration in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy may have peripheral actions. Platelets are enriched with Abeta and have been shown to enhance platelet actions. However, the detailed signaling pathways through which Abeta activates platelets have not been previously explored. In this study, we examined the intra-platelet Abeta distribution using a gold labeling technique and noted that Abeta was predominantly localized in the cytoplasm of resting platelets. A marked increase in Abeta-gold labeling in an open canalicular system was observed in collagen-activated platelets. Exogenous Abeta (2-10 microM) stimulated platelet aggregation accompanied by phospholipase Cgamma2 (PLCgamma2) phosphorylation, phosphoinositide breakdown, and [Ca(2+)]i mobilization as well as protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Ro318220, an inhibitor of PKC, suppressed Abeta-induced platelet aggregation, PKC activation, and [Ca(2+)]i mobilization in platelets, suggesting that the PLCgamma2-PKC pathway is involved in Abeta-induced platelet aggregation. In the electron spin resonance study, Abeta (2 and 10 microM) markedly triggered hydroxyl radical formation in platelets. In an in vivo study, Abeta (2mg/kg) significantly shortened the latency for inducing platelet plug formation in the mesenteric venules of mice. In conclusion, we are the first to demonstrate (1) the distribution of Abeta in human platelets; and that (2) Abeta activation of platelets is mediated, at least partially, by the PLCgamma2-PKC pathway; and (3) Abeta triggers thrombus formation in vivo.
 ...
PMID:Expression of amyloid beta peptide in human platelets: pivotal role of the phospholipase Cgamma2-protein kinase C pathway in platelet activation. 1866 83

Histamine, a potent inflammatory mediator, has multiple effects on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. This study investigates the effect of histamine on the expression of early growth response factor 1 (Egr-1), a master transcription factor that regulates the expression of an array of atherogenic genes in atherosclerotic lesions. Histamine markedly and rapidly induces Egr-1 mRNA and protein expression in primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Histamine-induced Egr-1 expression is dependent on the activation of the H1 receptor. Histamine also rapidly and transiently activates protein kinase C-delta (PKCdelta), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, p38 kinase, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) prior to Egr-1 induction. Using specific pharmacological inhibitors and small interfering RNA technology, we determined that PKCdelta and ERK, but not p38 and JNK, mediate histamine-induced Egr-1 expression. Our data provide the first evidence that histamine regulates expression of Egr-1 in mammalian cells and demonstrate a novel role of PKCdelta in up-regulation of Egr-1 expression. The present study reveals the following regulatory mechanism: histamine up-regulates Egr-1 expression in primary HAECs via the H1 receptor and the PKCdelta-dependent ERK activation pathway. Our data also imply that CREB, a downstream component of the ERK pathway, regulates Egr-1 expression in HAECs. Importantly, these results suggest a central role of Egr-1 in histamine-induced gene expression and in histamine-induced vascular disease.
 ...
PMID:Histamine induces Egr-1 expression in human aortic endothelial cells via the H1 receptor-mediated protein kinase Cdelta-dependent ERK activation pathway. 1868 91

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is an important cause of renal dysfunction and the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Diabetic nephropathy is also associated with an increased risk of vascular disease and patient mortality. Aggressive management of hypertension to reduce microalbuminuria, together with tight glycaemic control are important therapeutic strategies for renal and vascular disease prevention in T2D. The main pathophysiological mechanisms associated with diabetic nephropathy result from activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), protein kinase C pathway, pro-inflammatory cytokines and various growth factors. Angiotensin II and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) are two important molecular mediators. The production of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and increased oxidative stress further exacerbates renal injury. These molecular changes within the renal tissue result in mesangial expansion, increased extracellular matrix deposition and an alteration in podocyte structure and function. Therapeutic targeting of these molecular pathways is an important area of translational research in diabetes. The elucidation of new genetic associations and proteomic biomarkers of diabetic kidney disease will also assist in the identification and treatment of high-risk patients. This review article will discuss both the molecular and clinical aspects of diabetic nephropathy, providing a bench-to-bedside research perspective to potential new therapeutic strategies.
 ...
PMID:Therapeutic strategies in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy - a translational medicine approach. 1927 8

The vascular inflammatory response involves complex interaction between inflammatory cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages), endothelial cells (ECs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and extracellular matrix (ECM). Vascular injury is associated with increased expression of adhesion molecules by ECs and recruitment of inflammatory cells, growth factors, and cytokines, with consequent effects on ECs, VSMCs and ECM. Cytokines include tumor necrosis factors, interleukins, lymphokines, monokines, interferons, colony stimulating factors, and transforming growth factors. Cytokines are produced by macrophages, T-cells and monocytes, as well as platelets, ECs and VSMCs. Circulating cytokines interact with specific receptors on various cell types and activate JAK-STAT, NF-kappaB, and Smad signaling pathways leading to an inflammatory response involving cell adhesion, permeability and apoptosis. Cytokines also interact with mitochondria to increase the production of reactive oxygen species. Cytokine-induced activation of these pathways in ECs modifies the production/activity of vasodilatory mediators such as nitric oxide, prostacyclin, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, and bradykinin, as well as vasoconstrictive mediators such as endothelin and angiotensin II. Cytokines interact with VSMCs to activate Ca(2+), protein kinase C, Rho-kinase, and MAPK pathways, which promote cell growth and migration, and VSM reactivity. Cytokines also interact with integrins and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and modify ECM composition. Persistent increases in cytokines are associated with vascular dysfunction and vascular disease such as atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, varicose veins and hypertension. Genetic and pharmacological tools to decrease the production of cytokines or to diminish their effects using cytokine antagonists could provide new approaches in the management of inflammatory vascular disease.
 ...
PMID:Inflammatory cytokines in vascular dysfunction and vascular disease. 1941 99


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next >>