Redox signaling and reactive oxygen species in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is an essential physiological mechanism of the lung that matches blood perfusion with alveolar ventilation to optimize gas exchange. Perturbations of HPV, as may occur in pneumonia or adult respiratory distress syndrome, can cause life-threatening hypoxemia. Despite intensive research for decades, the molecular mechanisms of HPV have not been fully elucidated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and changes in the cellular redox state are proposed to link O2 sensing and pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell contraction underlying HPV. In this regard, mitochondria and NAD(P)H oxidases are discussed as sources of ROS. However, there is controversy whether ROS levels decrease or increase during hypoxia. With this background we summarize the current knowledge on the role of ROS and redox state in HPV.
Fuchs
Beate
B
Excellence Cluster Cardio-Pulmonary System, University of Giessen Lung Center, Department of Internal Medicine II, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
Sommer
Natascha
N
Dietrich
Alexander
A
Schermuly
Ralph Theo
RT
Ghofrani
Hossein Ardeschir
HA
Grimminger
Friedrich
F
Seeger
Werner
W
Gudermann
Thomas
T
Weissmann
Norbert
N
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D014661:Vasoconstriction / Q000502:physiology*
D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D019255:NADPH Oxidases