[Role of Rho/ROCK in the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells].
The migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from media to intima is a critical step in the formation of atheroma and vascular stenosis as well as in the restenosis after vascular intervention. As an important downstream effector of RhoA, Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) plays an important role in VSMC migration and vascular remodeling by regulating actin filament cytoskeleton and focal adhesion. There are many bioactive substances such as aldosterone, sphingosine 1 phosphate (S1P), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and angiotensin II (Ang II) that could induce VSMC migration through Rho/ROCK pathway by binding to their specific receptors. Studies on Rho/ROCK pathway could help us to better understand how cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and hypertension develop.
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing 100191, China.
Zhong-Yan
ZY
Chen
Wei-Juan
WJ
Yao
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000502:physiology; D002465:Cell Movement; D006801:Humans; D008246:Lysophospholipids / Q000502:physiology; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000502:physiology; D066253:Vascular Remodeling; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000502:physiology*
D008246:Lysophospholipids; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D000804:Angiotensin II; C060506:sphingosine 1-phosphate; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins; D013110:Sphingosine