Angiotensin and cytoskeletal proteins: role in vascular remodeling.
Vascular remodeling occurs during normal development and is involved in various physiologic events. However, the adaptive structural changes of the vasculature can also be pathologic, leading to vascular disease such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and vein graft disease. Pre-eclampsia may develop as a consequence of inappropriate vascular remodeling during pregnancy. Angiotensin II contributes to vascular remodeling by activating signal transduction cascades that promote vasoconstriction, growth, and inflammation. The cytoskeleton also participates in structural adaptation responses of the vasculature; cytoskeletal filaments may mediate vasoactive responses, transduce mechanical stimuli, and are involved in pharmacologic signal transduction. It has become clear that many of the cytoskeletal changes during vascular remodeling can be induced by angiotensin II. Recently, the small G-protein Rho has attracted much attention. The Rho/Rho-kinase system is activated by angiotensin II, is a prominent regulator of the cytoskeleton, and is involved in pathologic vascular remodeling.
Wesselman
Jos P M
JP
Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. j.wesselman@farmaco.unimaas.nl
De Mey
Jo G R
JG
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000502:physiology*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000502:physiology*; D012083:Renin / Q000097:blood; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D044140:Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin; D000804:Angiotensin II; D012083:Renin; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins