Cigarette smoke-mediated oxidative stress, shear stress, and endothelial dysfunction: role of VEGFR2

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010 Aug:1203:66-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05601.x.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 (VEGFR2), a tyrosine kinase receptor, is activated by VEGF and fluid shear stress (FSS), and its downstream signaling is important in regulation of endothelial functions, such as cell migration, endothelium-dependent relaxation, and angiogenesis. Inhibition of VEGFR2 augments cigarette smoke (CS)-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses leading to endothelial dysfunction. CS-derived reactive oxygen/nitrogen species interact with VEGFR2, causing posttranslational modifications that render VEGFR2 inactive for downstream signaling, resulting in endothelial dysfunction. CS-mediated oxidants/carbonyl stress decreases SIRT1 levels and causes eNOS acetylation, which has ramifications in endothelial dysfunction. CS also affects endothelial cell survival pathway by disrupting VEGF- and FSS-mediated VEGFR2/PI3-kinase signaling, leading to decreased Akt phosphorylation and eNOS acetylation. We describe here the mechanisms whereby CS alters VEGF- and FSS-mediated VEGFR2-eNOS signaling, which may have implications for understanding the pathogenesis of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Movement / immunology
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / adverse effects
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / immunology
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / metabolism
  • Macrophages, Alveolar / pathology
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Smoking / adverse effects*
  • Smoking / immunology
  • Smoking / metabolism*
  • Smoking / pathology
  • Stress, Mechanical*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / physiology*

Substances

  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2