title: An overview of the mechanisms and novel roles of Nrf2 in cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor of the cap'n'collar (CNC) family that is present in various organs. The cardiovascular system (CVS) is susceptible to a spectrum of diseases that are strongly associated with increased risks of mortality and morbidity, and studies have demonstrated that Nrf2 has a pivotal role in protection against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Areas covered: Nrf2 is a basic protective molecule that guards against CVD by attenuating oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. Initially, we briefly introduce the biological characteristics of Nrf2 and the newly discovered Neh7 domain. Next, we discuss the concrete roles of Nrf2 in the CVS and enumerate some related upstream molecules and downstream targets. Lastly, we expand our focus to the behaviors of Nrf2 in CVDs and discuss potential research directions. Expert opinion: Although certain studies have cast doubt on the positive actions of Nrf2 in the CVS, Nrf2 is a pivotal endogenous molecule for defense against CVD. The review compiled here may serve as a broad and comprehensive reference for the roles of Nrf2 in the CVS, with the aim of facilitating the design of new drugs and clinical therapies for CVDs.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.|d Department of Aerospace Medicine , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biomedical Engineering , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.|c Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery , Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School , Nanjing , Jiangsu , China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biomedical Engineering , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: e Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors.forename: Zhiqiang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biomedical Engineering , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: e Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors.forename: Chongxi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.affiliation: b Department of Biomedical Engineering , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.affiliation: f Department of Geriatrics, Xijing Hospital , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: a Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital , The Fourth Military Medical University , Xi'an , China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000473:pathology; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2
keywords: Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2; cardiovascular system; oxidative stress; potential research directions