Deficiency of 5-HT receptors alleviates atherosclerosis by regulating macrophage phenotype through inhibiting interferon signalling.

Background And Purpose: Elevated levels of 5-HT have been correlated with coronary artery disease and cardiac events, suggesting 5-HT is a potential novel factor in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms of the 5-HT system in atherosclerosis remain unclear. The 5-HT receptor (5-HT2BR), which establishes a positive feedback loop with 5-HT, has been identified as a contributor to pathophysiological processes in various vascular disorders.

A critical role of the endothelial S-phase kinase-associated protein 2/phosphatase and tensin homologue axis in angiogenesis and psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disorder. Pathologically, it features abnormal epidermal proliferation, infiltrating inflammatory cells and increased angiogenesis in the dermis. Aberrant expression of E3 ubiquitin ligase and a dysregulated protein ubiquitination system are implicated in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

PPAR-δ: A key nuclear receptor in vascular function and remodeling.

Vascular function is critical for the maintenance of body's homeostasis and is tightly regulated by complex interactions among the vessel wall, hemodynamics, neuro-endocrine factors and metabolic alteration. A variety of cardiovascular risks instigate pro-inflammatory and oxidative responses to impair vascular function, leading to pathological vascular remodeling. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ (PPAR-δ) is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor and transcription factor that regulates cell growth and differentiation, metabolism and wound healing.

Activation of the endocannabinoid system mediates cardiac hypertrophy induced by rosiglitazone.

Rosiglitazone (RSG) is a synthetic agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), which plays a central role in the regulation of metabolism. Meta-analyses have suggested that RSG is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. However, the mechanisms underlying such adverse cardiac effects are still poorly understood.