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Reactive oxygen species production by circulating monocytes: insights from pathophysiology to clinical hypertension

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 20, pages 307–309 (2006)Cite this article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a family of molecules including molecular oxygen and its derivatives produced in all aerobic cells. Increasing evidence indicates that ROS play a pathophysiological role in the development of hypertension.1, 2 This is due, in part, to the promotion of endothelial dysfunction by ROS excess (oxidative stress), where the endothelium plays an integral role in the regulation of vascular tone, platelet activity, leukocyte adhesion and thrombosis.

Endothelial dysfunction is associated with reduced nitric oxide availability.3 Such disruption of normal vascular endothelial integrity or function permits the capture of circulating monocytes on the endothelium and subsequent diapedesis. Indeed, animal studies indicate that circulating monocytes are precursors to the lipid-laden macrophages within atherosclerotic lesions.4 In line with atherosclerotic plaque growth and rupture through the elaboration of proinflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases,5 ROS may play an intergral role, for example, in activating redox-sensitive signalling pathways, such as the transcription factor: nuclear factor-κ beta.6

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  1. University Department of Medicine, Haemostasis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Unit, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK

    H S Lim, J V Patel & G Y H Lip

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Correspondence to G Y H Lip.

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Lim, H., Patel, J. & Lip, G. Reactive oxygen species production by circulating monocytes: insights from pathophysiology to clinical hypertension. J Hum Hypertens 20, 307–309 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001994

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