Angiogenesis in the Placenta: The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species Signaling

Figure 3

Placental oxidative stress triggers the expression of transcription factors to regulate angiogenesis and trophoblast invasion. Mitochondria within the placenta (depicted in pale pink) are a major producer of ROS, such as which can cause a state of oxidative stress (illustrated in yellow). Oxidative stress within the placenta can act as a signaling pathway to influence the expression of transcription factors, such as KLF8, Ets-1, NFκB, Sp1, Sp3, STAT-3, and Nrf2 (depicted by the grey arrows). These transcription factors regulate the expression and activity of proteins related to angiogenesis and trophoblast invasion (as shown by the lines linking to the invasion and angiogenesis panels).