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Rho/ROCK Pathway as a Therapeutic Target in Multiple Diseases
Zixiu Cheng1, Shannon Erhardt1,2, Jun Wang1,2
1Department of Pediatrics, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
None:
The Rho/ROCK (Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase) signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating diverse cellular processes, including cytoskeletal organization, cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of this pathway has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer, neurological conditions, and fibrotic diseases. Accumulating evidence supports the therapeutic potential of targeting Rho/ROCK, with several inhibitors currently under investigation or in clinical use. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms underlying Rho/ROCK signaling, explores its involvement in disease progression, and discusses recent advances in the development of and the clinical application of ROCK inhibitors as promising therapeutic agents.
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