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Targeting NOX enzymes in pulmonary fibrosis

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Abstract

Oxidative stress has been associated with a number of human fibrotic diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Oxidative stress is most often defined as an imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in excess of the capacity of cells/tissues to detoxify or scavenge them. Additionally, the regulated production of ROS participates in cellular signaling. Therapeutic strategies to treat IPF have, thus far, focused on augmenting anti-oxidant capacity. Recent studies have demonstrated a critical role for ROS-generating enzymatic systems, specifically, NADPH oxidase (NOX) family oxidoreductases in fibrotic processes. In this review, we examine the evidence for NOX isoforms in the generation and perpetuation of fibrosis, and the potential to target this gene family for the treatment of IPF and related fibrotic disorders.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by U.S. National Institutes of Health grants, R01 HL067967 (VJT), R01 HL094230 (VJT), and R01 HL086836 (JC).

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  1. Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 901 19th Street South, BMR-2 406, Birmingham, AL, 35294-0006, USA

    Louise Hecker, Jeff Cheng & Victor J. Thannickal

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  1. Louise Hecker
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  2. Jeff Cheng
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Correspondence to Louise Hecker.

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Hecker, L., Cheng, J. & Thannickal, V.J. Targeting NOX enzymes in pulmonary fibrosis. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 69, 2365–2371 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-012-1012-7

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