Na+ H+ exchanger-1: a link with atherogenesis?
BACKGROUND
The sodium/hydrogen exchanger-1 (NHE-1/SLC9A1) is a ubiquitous plasma membrane protein whose main role is maintenance of intracellular pH and volume. NHE-1 plays a role in atherogenesis; however, its clinical relevance has not yet been established.


METHODS
We herein review the contribution of NHE-1 in atherogenesis (namely its effect on endothelial cells, monocytes, smooth muscle cells and platelets).


RESULTS
Studies have shown that NHE is involved in atherogenesis-related properties of isolated monocytes. We also consider the relationship between NHE-1 and vascular risk factors such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
Even though clinical trials with certain NHE-1 inhibitors have had discouraging results, NHE-1 cannot be excluded as a potential future therapeutic target for the prevention and/or treatment of atherosclerosis.
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Medical School, Metabolic Diseases Unit, Second Department of Internal Medicine, Greece.
Maria
M
Sarigianni
Apostolos
A
Tsapas
Dimitri P
DP
Mikhailidis
Martha
M
Kaloyianni
George
G
Koliakos
Larry
L
Fliegel
Konstantinos
K
Paletas
D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000074082:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger 1; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; C490998:SLC9A1 protein, human; D000074082:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger 1; D017923:Sodium-Hydrogen Exchangers