[Frontiers in Bioscience 14, 2238-2247, January 1, 2009]

Role of endothelial cell stress in the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure

Rita Anzalone1, Giampiero La Rocca1, Antonino Di Stefano2, Francesca Magno1, Simona Corrao1, Marco Carbone1,2, Tiziana Loria1, Melania Lo Iacono1, Ermanno Eleuteri2, Marilena Colombo2, Francesco Cappello1, Felicia Farina1, Giovanni Zummo1, Pantaleo Giannuzzi2

1Human Anatomy Section, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, 90127 Palermo, Italy; Cardiology Unit and Laboratory of Cytoimmunopathology, Fondazione Salvatore Maugeri, IRCCS, Via per Revislate 13, Veruno (NO), Italy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Endothelial phenotype and function
2.1. In vitro models of endothelial heterogeneity
2.2. Endothelial functions in vascular biology
3. Role of ROS in endothelium
3.1. Hydrogen Peroxide in endothelium: sources and functions
4. Emerging roles for myeloperoxidase in endothelial biology.
4.1. MPO: interaction with endothelial cells
4.2. MPO and endothelium: in vivo evidence and novel in vitro models.
5. Conclusions and perspectives
6. Acknowledgements
7. References

1. ABSTRACT

Endothelial cells are key modulators of diverse physiological processes, and their impaired function is a cause of numerous cardiovascular diseases. Under physiologic condition, the reactive oxygen and nitrogen mediators in endothelia lead to the signal propagation of the initial stimulus, by forming molecules with a longer half-life like hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is the focus of growing attention in endothelial biology, and consequently the enzymes involved in its generation and clearance are viewed as novel mediators of great importance. In particular, among peroxidases, myeloperoxidase is recognized as a key enzyme, capable of impairing intracellular NO reservoirs as well as producing oxidized amino acids such as 3-chlorotyrosine or 3-nitrotyrosine. This process switches the functional pathways from normal signalling to a condition characterized by oxidative and/or nitrosative stress. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in these stress responses in endothelium will lead to better therapeutic strategies for oxidative stress-driven cardiovascular diseases.