NAD(P)H oxidase - Role in cardiovascular biology and disease

Reactive oxygen species have emerged as important molecules in cardiovascul ar function. Recent work has shown that NAD(P)H oxidases are major sources of superoxide in vascular cells and myocytes. The biochemical characterizat ion, activation paradigms, structure, and function of this enzyme are now p artly understood. Vascular NAD(P)H oxidases share some, but not all, charac teristics of the neutrophil enzyme. In response to growth factors and cytok ines, they produce superoxide, which is metabolized to hydrogen peroxide, a nd both of these reactive oxygen species serve as second messengers to acti vate multiple intracellular signaling pathways. The vascular NAD(P)H oxidas es have been found to be essential in the physiological response of vascula r cells, including growth, migration, and modification of the extracellular matrix. They have also been linked to hypertension and to pathological sta tes associated with uncontrolled growth and inflammation, such as atheroscl erosis.