Redox Signaling and Vascular Function

Redox signaling plays a critical role in various cardiovascular processes, both physiological and pathological. These include endothelial dysfunction, vascular smooth muscle proliferation, atherosclerosis, angiogenesis, cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, vascular remodelling. The intracellular redox state in the vasculature depends on the balance between the level of reactive oxygen species and the activity of defensive systems, which encompass nitric oxide, glutathione and antioxidant enzymes. Disruption of this balance can alter important signaling pathways that regulate blood flow, blood pressure, inflammation, and the development of atherosclerosis, therefore, subtle shifts in the redox state can alter signaling in ways that either promote health or contribute to disease. There are increasing evidence indicating that vascular oxidative stress is deleterious due to free radical induced oxidation and damage of macromolecules, membranes and DNA. Understanding the redox mechanisms underlying vascular function provides opportunities to develop therapies targeting redox balance. Maintaining healthy redox signaling can also be an important strategy for vascular health and longevity.

This Research Topic will provide a state-of-the-art overview of this emerging area at the interface of redox biology, vascular physiology, and metabolic diseases. We aim to highlight the latest insights into how perturbations in redox signaling contribute to vascular dysfunction in cardio-metabolic diseases. The goal is to provide a platform for studies examining the integrated effects of oxidative stress and antioxidant defense on endothelial function, vascular tone, and structural remodeling of blood vessels. We welcome original research, reviews, and perspectives on the molecular mechanisms underlying redox signaling in the vasculature, and how these are altered in diseases such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. This topic seeks to identify new therapeutic targets focused on maintaining or restoring redox balance for the prevention and treatment of cardio-metabolic diseases associated with vascular impairment.

We welcome submissions on the following topics, but are not limited to:
- Source and regulation of oxidative stress and antioxidative defense.
- The new effects and mechanism of cellular redox signaling in endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells.
- Potential therapeutic strategies targeting redox signaling to improve vascular function
- Effects of hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, and diabetes on vascular redox state
- Contribution of excess ROS and impaired redox signaling to endothelial dysfunction and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.
- Redox signalling in the pathogenesis of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and other CVDs
- Methods to assess redox state, ROS levels, and antioxidant capacity in the vasculature
- Effects of diet, exercise, medication, and lifestyle changes on the vascular redox state
- Association between genetics, epigenetics, and altered redox signaling in CVDs

Keywords: cardiometabolic diseases, oxidative stress, vascular dysfunction, antioxidant, endothelial cell

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.