Oxidation Prevents HMGB1 Inhibition on PDGF-Induced Differentiation of Multipotent Vascular Stem Cells to Smooth Muscle Cells: A Possible Mechanism Linking Oxidative Stress to Atherosclerosis

Figure 3

Illustration of a possible mechanism that HMGB1 mediates oxidative stress-induced atherosclerosis. Multipotent vascular stem cells proliferate and differentiate to smooth muscle cells in response to stimulatory factors (such as PDGF), which consequently accelerates atherosclerosis. HMGB1 is able to inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of multipotent vascular stem cells, but if oxidized, it loses its activity. HMGB1 oxidation is promoted by a great amount of reactive oxygen species that are generated during oxidative stress. Thus, this suggests a possible mechanism linking oxidative stress to atherosclerosis.