Open AccessCritical Role of the Nitric Oxide/Reactive Oxygen Species Balance in Endothelial Progenitor Dysfunction
Author(s) -
Felix Fleißner,
Thomas Thum
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
antioxidants and redox signaling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.277
H-Index - 190
eISSN - 1557-7716
pISSN - 1523-0864
DOI - 10.1089/ars.2010.3502
Subject(s) - oxidative stress , nitric oxide , endothelial dysfunction , reactive oxygen species , progenitor cell , nitric oxide synthase , homeostasis , pathogenesis , neovascularization , endothelium , nitric oxide synthase type iii , microbiology and biotechnology , endothelial progenitor cell , biology , angiogenesis , pharmacology , immunology , cancer research , stem cell , biochemistry , endocrinology , enos
Endothelial injury and dysfunction are critical events in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. During these processes, an impaired balance of nitric oxide bioavailability and oxidative stress is mechanistically involved. Circulating angiogenic cells (including early and late outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells (EPC)) contribute to formation of new blood vessels, neovascularization, and homeostasis of the vasculature, and are highly sensitive for misbalance between NO and oxidative stress. We here review the role of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase and oxidative stress producing enzyme systems in EPC during cardiovascular disease. We also focus on the underlying molecular mechanisms and potential emerging drug- and gene-based therapeutic strategies to improve EPC function in cardiovascular diseased patients.