ABSTRACT
Introduction 141
Oxidants, Antioxidants, and NF-kB Mediated Gene Expression in the Endothelium 143
Oxidants, Antioxidants, and AP-1 Mediated Gene Expression
in the Endothelium 148
Vitamin E and Endothelial Gene Expression 152
Regulation of Transcription Through Changes in Chromatin Structure 157
Applicability to Physiological Conditions 160
Discussion 164
Conclusion 167
Acknowledgments 167
References 167
INTRODUCTION
Thirty years ago, the main roles of endothelial cells-the cells lining the inner
surface of all blood vessels-were thought to be the largely passive ones of
providing a nonthrombogenic surface and of keeping macromolecules within
plasma, while allowing the exchange of smaller solutes with underlying tissue.
Since then, however, endothelial cells have been shown to play an active and
key role in a large number of physiological processes that are critical for vas-
cular homeostasis (1). The explosion of interest in these cells has undoubtedly
been fueled by their central involvement in the development of atherosclerosis.
This disease underlies most myocardial infarctions and cerebrovascular acci-
dents, and in many countries it constitutes the major cause of death. Several
aspects of its pathogenesis remain to be established but there is currently a con-
sensus that key events include the activation or perturbation of endothelial cells
by various mechanical, chemical, or biological stimuli, entry of lipoproteins
and inflammatory cells into the arterial wall, the migration of smooth muscle
cells (SMC) into the arterial intima and their subsequent proliferation, and
interactions between the atheromatous plaque and circulating platelets, all of
which are strongly influenced by the endothelium (2).
