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Uncontrolled proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in response to vessel injury is a problem with a considerable therapeutic impact. Specifically, restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a clinical problem without any effective drug therapy so far. Thus, there is need for an improved drug therapy but also for an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of growth control in SMC. Cyclooxygenase products, such as prostaglandins and thromboxane, are intimately involved in growth responses. Vasodilatory prostaglandins, such as PGI , PGE or their analogues, have 2 1 been shown to inhibit SMC proliferation. There is also evidence for a markedly increased endogenous prostaglandin production during neointirna formation under the influence of growth factors which includes induction of COX-2. These data suggest that prostaglandins might be considered both targets and tools of growth control. However, there are still many open questions, including the possible interaction of prostaglandins with other growth modulating factors, in particular NO, the intracellular signal transduction pathways and the role of oxidative stress.
List of contents
Regulation of differentiation/maturation in vascular smooth muscle cells by hormones and growth factors.- Novel indices of oxidant stress in cardiovascular disease: specific analysis of F2-isoprostanes.- Role of thromboxane A2 in mitogenesis of vascular smooth muscle cells.- Roles of vasodilatory prostaglandins in mitogenesis of vascular smooth muscle cells.- Antimitotic actions of vasodilatory prostaglandins - clinical aspects.- Prostacyclin and nitric oxide-related gene transfer in preventing arterial thrombosis and restenosis.- List of contributors.
Summary
Uncontrolled proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in response to vessel injury is a problem with a considerable therapeutic impact. Specifically, restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a clinical problem without any effective drug therapy so far. Thus, there is need for an improved drug therapy but also for an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of growth control in SMC. Cyclooxygenase products, such as prostaglandins and thromboxane, are intimately involved in growth responses. Vasodilatory prostaglandins, such as PGI , PGE or their analogues, have 2 1 been shown to inhibit SMC proliferation. There is also evidence for a markedly increased endogenous prostaglandin production during neointirna formation under the influence of growth factors which includes induction of COX-2. These data suggest that prostaglandins might be considered both targets and tools of growth control. However, there are still many open questions, including the possible interaction of prostaglandins with other growth modulating factors, in particular NO, the intracellular signal transduction pathways and the role of oxidative stress.
