title: Signal pathways involved in the biological effects of sulfur dioxide.
abstract: Gasotransmitters, such as nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, play important roles in life and have attracted great interest in scientists. In recent years, sulfur dioxide (SO2) has also been found to play important roles in mammals. The redox pathway is involved in the biological effects of SO2, such as the protective effect on myocardial ischemia reperfusion, myocardial injury, pulmonary hypertension and atherosclerosis. Ion channels, such as L-type calcium and adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels, as well as 3'-5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate and 3'-5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathways are also involved in the vasorelaxant effect of SO2. The mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway plays roles in vascular remodeling during pulmonary hypertension and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Understanding these signaling mechanisms would help to clarify the pathophysiological effect and therapeutic potential of SO2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Yongan Street No. 95 West District, Beijing 100050, PR China. Electronic address: xinbaowang2008@163.com.
authors.forename: Xin-Bao
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, PR China.
authors.forename: Jun-Bao
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Yongan Street No. 95 West District, Beijing 100050, PR China. Electronic address: cuihongl00@sina.com.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D013458:Sulfur Dioxide
keywords: Biology; Gasotransmitter; Signal pathway; Sulfur dioxide