Reactive Oxygen Species Can Provide Atheroprotection via NOX4-Dependent Inhibition of Inflammation and Vascular Remodeling

Abstract

Thus, the appearance of reactive oxygen species in atherosclerosis is apparently not always a nondesirable oxidative stress, but can also have protective effects. Both in humans and in mouse, the H2O2-forming NOX4, unlike the superoxide-forming NOX1, can act as a negative modulator of inflammation and remodeling and convey atheroprotection. These results have implications on how to judge reactive oxygen species formation in cardiovascular disease and need to be considered in the development of NOX inhibitory drugs.