Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction is a key event in the development of vascular disease, and it precedes clinically obvious vascular pathology. Abnormal activation of the RhoA/Rho kinase (ROCK) pathway has been found to elevate vascular tone through unbalancing the production of vasodilating and vasoconstricting substances. Inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK pathway can prevent endothelial dysfunction in a variety of pathological conditions. This review, based on recent molecular, cellular, and animal studies, focuses on the current understanding of the ROCK pathway and its roles in endothelial dysfunction.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 165-170 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2010 |
Keywords
- Endothelial dysfunction
- Rho kinase
- endothelium-dependent contractions
- nitric oxide
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine