ABSTRACT
Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated continuously in living cells, damaging cellular constituents if remaining uncontrolled. Differential transcriptional regulation by tocopherol isomers has been demonstrated for the low-density lipoproteins-scavenger receptor gene. ROS have been shown to induce lipid peroxidation and subsequent transactivation or repression of effector gene expression resulting in oxidative stress-induced cell damage. In the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis patients, transcriptional changes occur that reflect the genetic responses to a hypoxic/anoxic environment. Gene transcription in damaged renal tissue is upregulated for various transcription factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix factors. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a high-incidence motor neuron disease characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and cell death of lower motor neuron groups in the spinal cord and brain stem, and also of upper motor neurons in the motor cortex. Vitamin E regulation of gene regulation has implications for many biologic functions including those of vascular, neuronal, and immune systems as well as the diseases related to them.
