Redox-mediated regulation of endothelial function

活性氧（Reactive oxygen species，ROS）在心血管疾病的发生、发展中起着重要作用。在本研究中，我们重点研究了内皮细胞中表达的ROS产生酶Nox 4。虽然Nox 4的表达在正常条件下被抑制，但它在缺血组织的微血管中被高度诱导，加强缺氧反应，并增加血管生成和炎症分子的产生。Nox 4的生理作用可能是血管生成;然而，由Nox 4的快速诱导诱导的血管生成反应可能会在特定条件下使疾病状态恶化，例如脑缺血。

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we focused on the ROS-producing enzyme Nox4 expressed in endothelial cells. While the expression of Nox4 was suppressed under normal conditions, it was highly induced in micro-vessels in ischemic tissues, reinforced hypoxic responses, and increased the production of angiogenic and inflammatory molecules. The physiological role of Nox4 may be angiogenesis; however, the angiogenic responses induced by rapid induction of Nox4 may rather worsen the disease state under particular conditions, such as brain ischemia.