@article{PaudelFusiSchmidt2021,
  author    = {Paudel, Rupesh and Fusi, Lorenza and Schmidt, Marc},
  title     = {The MEK5/ERK5 pathway in health and disease},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  volume    = {22},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  number    = {14},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms22147594},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-261638},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {The MEK5/ERK5 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) cascade is a unique signaling module activated by both mitogens and stress stimuli, including cytokines, fluid shear stress, high osmolarity, and oxidative stress. Physiologically, it is mainly known as a mechanoreceptive pathway in the endothelium, where it transduces the various vasoprotective effects of laminar blood flow. However, it also maintains integrity in other tissues exposed to mechanical stress, including bone, cartilage, and muscle, where it exerts a key function as a survival and differentiation pathway. Beyond its diverse physiological roles, the MEK5/ERK5 pathway has also been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, where it has recently emerged as a major escape route, sustaining tumor cell survival and proliferation under drug stress. In addition, MEK5/ERK5 dysfunction may foster cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Here, we highlight the importance of the MEK5/ERK5 pathway in health and disease, focusing on its role as a protective cascade in mechanical stress-exposed healthy tissues and its function as a therapy resistance pathway in cancers. We discuss the perspective of targeting this cascade for cancer treatment and weigh its chances and potential risks when considering its emerging role as a protective stress response pathway.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{WengKoestlerBleyetal.2021,
  author    = {Weng, Andreas M. and K{\"o}stler, Herbert and Bley, Thorsten A. and Ritter, Christian O.},
  title     = {Effect of short-term smoking \& L-arginine on coronary endothelial function assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance cold pressor testing: a pilot study},
  series = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders},
  volume    = {21},
  journal   = {BMC Cardiovascular Disorders},
  doi       = {10.1186/s12872-021-02050-1},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-260559},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Background The effect of smoking on coronary vasomotion has been investigated in the past with various imaging techniques in both short- and long-term smokers. Additionally, coronary vasomotion has been shown to be normalized in long-term smokers by L-Arginine acting as a substrate for NO synthase, revealing the coronary endothelium as the major site of abnormal vasomotor response. Aim of the prospective cohort study was to investigate coronary vasomotion of young healthy short-term smokers via magnetic resonance cold pressor test with and without the administration of L-Arginine and compare obtained results with the ones from nonsmokers. Methods Myocardial blood flow (MBF) was quantified with first-pass perfusion MRI on a 1.5 T scanner in healthy short-term smokers (N = 10, age: 25.0 ± 2.8 years, 5.0 ± 2.9 pack years) and nonsmokers (N = 10, age: 34.3 ± 13.6) both at rest and during cold pressor test (CPT). Smokers underwent an additional examination after administration of L-Arginine within a median of 7 days of the na{\"i}ve examination. Results MBF at rest turned out to be 0.77 ± 0.30 (smokers with no L-Arginine; mean ± standard deviation), 0.66 ± 0.21 (smokers L-Arginine) and 0.84 ± 0.08 (nonsmokers). Values under CPT were 1.21 ± 0.42 (smokers no L-Arginine), 1.09 ± 0.35 (smokers L-Arginine) and 1.63 ± 0.33 (nonsmokers). In all groups, MBF was significantly increased under CPT compared to the corresponding rest examination (p < 0.05 in all cases). Additionally, MBF under CPT was significantly different between the smokers and the nonsmokers (p = 0.002). MBF at rest was significantly different between the smokers when L-Arginine was given and the nonsmokers (p = 0.035). Conclusion Short-term smokers showed a reduced response to cold both with and without the administration of L-Arginine. However, absolute MBF values under CPT were lower compared to nonsmokers independently of L-Arginine administration.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{DirimanovHoegger2019,
  author    = {Dirimanov, Stoyan and H{\"o}gger, Petra},
  title     = {Screening of inhibitory effects of polyphenols on Akt-phosphorylation in endothelial cells and determination of structure-activity features},
  series = {Biomolecules},
  volume    = {9},
  journal   = {Biomolecules},
  number    = {6},
  issn      = {2218-273X},
  doi       = {10.3390/biom9060219},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-197333},
  pages     = {219},
  year      = {2019},
  abstract  = {Polyphenols exert beneficial effects in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, their mechanism of action remains largely unknown. Endothelial Akt-kinase plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular complications in T2DM and therefore the modulation of its activity is of interest. This work aimed to characterize effects of structurally different polyphenols on Akt-phosphorylation (pAkt) in endothelial cells (Ea.hy926) and to describe structure-activity features. A comprehensive screening via ELISA quantified the effects of 44 polyphenols (10 µM) on pAkt Ser473. The most pronounced inhibitors were luteolin (44 ± 18\%), quercetin (36 ± 8\%), urolithin A (35 ± 12\%), apigenin, fisetin, and resveratrol; (p < 0.01). The results were confirmed by Western blotting and complemented with corresponding experiments in HUVEC cells. A strong positive and statistically significant correlation between the mean inhibitory effects of the tested polyphenols on both Akt-residues Ser473 and Thr308 (r = 0.9478, p = 0.0003) was determined by immunoblotting. Interestingly, the structural characteristics favoring pAkt inhibition partially differed from structural features enhancing the compounds' antioxidant activity. The present study is the first to quantitatively compare the influence of polyphenols from nine different structural subclasses on pAkt in endothelial cells. These effects might be advantageous in certain T2DM-complications involving over-activation of the Akt-pathway. The suggested molecular mode of action of polyphenols involving Akt-inhibition contributes to understanding their effects on the cellular level.},
  language  = {en}
}