Intracellular signal pathway involved in the regulation of reactive sulfur species-producing enzyme expression by transforming growth factor-β₁ in cultured vascular endothelial cells

Abstract

Since vascular endothelial cells can be a target of chemical substances in the blood, the cellular defense systems of the cells are important. Reactive sulfur species (RSS) can contribute to the defense systems. We investigated the regulation of RSS-producing enzyme expression by TGF-β₁, a cytokine that regulates endothelial cell functions, and the intracellular pathways that mediate the regulation. It was found that TGF-β₁ selectively induces the expression of CSE and CBS among RSS-producing enzymes via both the ALK5-Smad2/3/4 and ALK5-Smad2/3-ATF4 pathways in vascular endothelial cells.