The role of the RhoA/rho-kinase pathway in pulmonary hypertension

Curr Drug Discov Technol. 2009 Mar;6(1):59-71. doi: 10.2174/157016309787581057.

Abstract

The small GTP-binding protein, RhoA, and its downstream effector protein, rho-kinase, have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of cardiovascular diseases. The activation of rho-kinase is involved in the development of increased vascular tone, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and restenosis; and that the inhibition of rho-kinase has been shown to have a beneficial effect in a variety of cardiovascular disorders. It is our hypothesis that rho-kinase inhibitors promote vasodilation independent of the mechanism that increases vasoconstrictor tone and moreover, the RhoA/rho-kinase pathway has a role in the regulation of smooth muscle tone under physiological conditions. The objective of this review is to improve our current understanding of the role of RhoA/rho-kinase pathway in the regulation of vasoconstrictor tone and the use of rho-kinase inhibitors in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders with an emphasis on pulmonary hypertension.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / drug therapy
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / physiopathology*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Vasoconstriction / drug effects
  • Vasodilation / drug effects
  • rho-Associated Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism*
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein