Endothelial Rap1 (Ras-Association Proximate 1) Restricts Inflammatory Signaling to Protect From the Progression of Atherosclerosis

Abstract

Via 2 distinct mechanisms, endothelial Rap1 protects from the atherosclerosis progression in the presence and absence of laminar flow; Rap1-stimulated NO release predominates in laminar flow, and restriction of proinflammatory signaling predominates in the absence of laminar flow. Our studies provide novel insights into the mechanisms underlying endothelial homeostasis and reveal the importance of Rap1 signaling in cardiovascular disease.