Abnormal Ribosome Biogenesis Partly Induced p53-Dependent Aortic Medial Smooth Muscle Cell Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress

Figure 7

Schematic diagram of the mechanisms of p53-dependent apoptosis and proliferative inhibition in the regulation of abnormal ribosome biogenesis in ASMCs. Stress such as hypoxia that probably affects the RNA polymerase I or rRNA processing will result in the decrease of ribosome biosynthesis. In that case, the crucial proteins related to the muscle contraction were decreased. The decrease of “contractile unit” will lead to the impairment of the aortic wall. These abnormal ASMCs cannot fulfill its biological effects of antagonizing blood flow impact. Upon stimulation by the blood pressure, the impaired ASMCs would increase ROS production and trigger p53-dependent apoptosis process.