The Interplay between Autophagy and Redox Signaling in Cardiovascular Diseases

Barbora Boťanská1, Ima Dovinová1, Miroslav Barančík1

  • 1Centre of Experimental Medicine, Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská Cesta 9, 84104 Bratislava, Slovakia.

Cells
|April 12, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Oxidative stress from reactive species contributes to diseases. This review highlights how Nrf2 and autophagy pathways interact to regulate cellular redox balance and combat disease progression, particularly in cardiovascular conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cellular biology
  • Molecular medicine
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) are signaling molecules at low levels but cause oxidative stress and disease at high levels.
  • Oxidative stress is implicated in cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and cancer.
  • Cellular defense systems maintaining redox homeostasis are crucial for responding to oxidative stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of Nrf2 in redox regulation and cellular response to oxidative stress.
  • To summarize current knowledge on autophagy regulation and the influence of redox signaling.
  • To detail the interplay between Nrf2 and autophagy in myocardial cells and their role in cardiovascular disease.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on Nrf2, autophagy, redox signaling, and oxidative stress.
  • Analysis of the interface between Nrf2 and autophagy pathways.
  • Examination of their specific roles in cardiovascular disease development.

Main Results:

  • Nrf2 is a central regulator of cellular defense against oxidative stress.
  • Autophagy is modulated by redox signaling pathways.
  • A significant interplay exists between Nrf2 and autophagy in the context of oxidative stress and disease.

Conclusions:

  • Nrf2 and autophagy are critical interconnected pathways in managing oxidative stress.
  • Dysregulation of these pathways contributes to the progression of oxidative stress-induced diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases.
  • Understanding the Nrf2-autophagy axis offers potential therapeutic targets for disease treatment.

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