title: Rho Kinases in Autoimmune Diseases.
abstract: The Rho kinases, or ROCKs, are a family of serine-threonine kinases that serve as key downstream effectors for Rho GTPases. The ROCKs are increasingly recognized as critical coordinators of a tissue response to injury due to their ability to modulate a wide range of biological processes. Dysregulated ROCK activity has been implicated in several human pathophysiological conditions ranging from cardiovascular and renal disorders to fibrotic diseases. In recent years, an important role for the ROCKs in the regulation of immune responses is also being uncovered. We provide an overview of the role of the ROCKs in immune cells and discuss studies that highlight the emerging involvement of this family of kinases in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Given the potential promise of the ROCKs as therapeutic targets, we also outline the approaches that could be employed to inhibit the ROCKs in autoimmune disorders.
authors.affiliation: Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021; email: pernisa@hss.edu , RozoC@hss.edu , YiW@hss.edu.|Graduate Program in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10065; email: edr2007@cornell.edu.|David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021.|Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10021.
authors.forename: Alessandra B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Pernis
authors.affiliation: Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021; email: pernisa@hss.edu , RozoC@hss.edu , YiW@hss.edu.|Graduate Program in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10065; email: edr2007@cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Edd
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ricker
authors.affiliation: Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021; email: pernisa@hss.edu , RozoC@hss.edu , YiW@hss.edu.|Graduate Program in Biochemistry Cell and Molecular Biology, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10065; email: chw2019@cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Chien-Huan
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Weng
authors.affiliation: Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021; email: pernisa@hss.edu , RozoC@hss.edu , YiW@hss.edu.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rozo
authors.affiliation: Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021; email: pernisa@hss.edu , RozoC@hss.edu , YiW@hss.edu.|David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021.
authors.forename: Woelsung
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yi
mesh_terms: D019307:1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000577:Amides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D022423:Myeloid Cells / Q000276:immunology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000378:metabolism; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; C108830:Y 27632; D019307:1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D020741:rho GTP-Binding Proteins; C049347:fasudil
keywords: autoimmunity; cytoskeletal reorganization; inflammation; interleukin 17; interleukin 21; kinase inhibitors