Reactive Oxygen Species and the Cardiovascular System

Figure 4

ROS production and vascular signaling. Several mechanical as well as circulating factors can increase ROS concentrations by acting on the tunica intima. The increased amounts of ROS activate specific second messenger systems which finally convey a cellular response. Hchol: hypercholesterolemia; DM: diabetes mellitus; IA: infectious agents; HC: homocysteine; MC: monocyte; GF: growth factors (PDGF, IGF-1, EGF, etc.); Cytokines (IL-1, TNF-α, etc.); oxLDL: oxidized low-density lipoprotein; eNOS: endothelial derived nitric oxide synthetase; PK: protein kinase A/C/G.