Rho kinase signaling and cardiac physiology. Academic Article

abstract

• Rho kinases (ROCKs) are the first discovered RhoA effectors that are now widely known for their effects on actin organization. Recent studies have shown that ROCKs play important roles in cardiac physiology. Abnormal activation of ROCKs participate in multiple cardiovascular pathological processes, including cardiac hypertrophy, apoptosis, fibrosis, systemic hypertension, and pulmonary hypertension. ROCK inhibitors, fasudil and statins, have shown beneficial cardiovascular effects in many animal studies, clinical trials, and applications. Here, we mainly discuss the current understanding of the physiological roles of Rho kinase signaling in the heart, and briefly summarize the roles of ROCKs in cardiac-related vascular dysfunctions. We will also discuss the clinical application of ROCK inhibitors.

authors

• Chang, Jiang

published proceedings

• Curr Opin Physiol

altmetric score

• 0.5

author list (cited authors)

• Dai, Y., Luo, W., & Chang, J.

citation count

• 16

complete list of authors

• Dai, Yuan||Luo, Weijia||Chang, Jiang

publication date

• January 2018

publisher

• Elsevier  Publisher

published in

• Current Opinion in Physiology  Journal

keywords

• Cardiovascular
• Heart Disease
• Hypertension

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1016/j.cophys.2017.07.005

start page

• 14

end page

• 20

volume

• 1

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cophys.2017.07.005