3.1. NADPH Oxidases and Endothelial Dysfunction
NOX members are activated by humoral factors associated with CVDs, leading to endothelial dysfunction. For example, Ang II stimulates NOX2 [
40,
41], NOX4 [
42], and NOX5 [
43,
44] activity/expression in human endothelial cells. ET-1 activates NOX2 and NOX5-derived ROS in porcine and human endothelial cells respectively [
43,
45], contributing to endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, oxLDLs induce NOX2 activity and endothelial dysfunction in human primary coronary artery endothelial cells [
46]. The role of NOX4 in endothelial dysfunction in response to LDL/oxLDL stimulation is debated; some studies describe a pathological role in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) [
47,
48], while others suggest a protective role in LDL-receptor
knock-out mice [
49]. Finally, lysophosphatidylcholine activates NOX5 increasing Ca
++ levels in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) [
50].
In addition, NOXs are involved in endothelial cell apoptosis. For instance, NOX1 regulates apoptosis in human sinusoidal endothelial cells [
11]. The localization of NOX2 and NOX4 appears closely linked to apoptosis in HUVEC. Specifically, caspase 3 activity associates with NOX2- and NOX4-derived ROS production in response to homocysteine [
51]. Finally, our group previously showed that NOX5 induces apoptosis in HAECs and immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) [
52,
53].
These proapoptotic effects of NOXs create a proinflammatory environment by releasing cytokines from endothelial cells. For instance, NOX2 in endothelial cells mediates the
in vivo production of granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), likely through toll-like receptor (TLR) stimulation [
54]. Likewise, NOX4 potentiates the secretion of IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) upon TLR-4 activation in human endothelial cells, as well as induces IL-6 production in response to palmitate [
55,
56,
57]. Moreover, endothelial NOX5 in diabetic Akita mice increased inflammation via MCP-1 and TLR4 [
58]. Tobacco smoke extract induced CX(3)CL1 production via NOX5 activation in HUVEC, increasing immune cell adhesion [
59]. Prostaglandins (PGs) are also implicated in this process. In HUVEC, NOX4 inhibits the protective effects of PGI
2, related with different vasculopathies [
60]. Finally, in immortalized HAEC (teloHAEC), NOX5 increases PGE
2 production by COX-2 activation [
44]. All the mentioned studies are summarized in
Figure 2.
3.2. NADPH Oxidases, Immune Cell Infiltration and Foam Cells
In this proinflammatory context, endothelial cells upregulate adhesion molecules to facilitate immune cell adhesion and infiltration. NOX activity and expression closely correlates with adhesion molecule expression. NOX2 overexpression in murine endothelial cells increases leukocyte adhesion and VCAM-1 expression. In mice with cardiac hypertrophy produced by Ang II infusion, NOX2 enhances immune cell infiltration into the heart [
61]. Similarly, salusin-β (a prohypertensive peptide) increases monocytic adhesion in VSMC through NOX2 [
62]. By contrast, the overexpression of NOX2 in monocytes does not promote adhesion to endothelial cells [
63]. Again, NOX4 overexpression in endothelial cells exhibits a protective role, reducing the recruitment of immune cells caused by Ang II
in vivo [
64]. However, NOX4 also promotes the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in response to TNF-α in HUVEC [
65]. Finally, NOX5 increases VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression, and mononuclear cell infiltration in HUVEC [
66]. This pathway could be induced by oxLDLs [
50]. In a myocardial infarction model, mice overexpressing NOX5 in endothelial cells upregulate cardiac VCAM-1 levels [
67].
Changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM) can facilitate immune cell infiltration into the subendothelial space of the vessel wall. Interestingly, p22phox regulates vascular wall elastic fiber composition
in vivo, correlating with the MMP-12/TIMP-1 ratio [
68]. More interactions between NOX enzymes and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are known. For instance, Ang II-induced NOX1 activation promotes VSMC migration and proliferation via MMP-9 [
69]. NOX2 activation by Ang II induces vascular remodeling in VSMC and adventitial fibroblasts [
70,
71]. Besides, NOX2 is implicated in the development of the atherosclerotic plaque
in vivo, which seems to be related with a reduction in the MMP-9 activity [
72]. Finally, the Ang II-NOX4 axis influences the effects of adventitial fibroblasts in the vascular ECM [
73]. The relationship between NOX5 and MMP expression/activity in the vascular context remains unclear.
NOXs also play a crucial role in foam cell formation by mediating lipid oxidation. NOX1 may play a dual role in this process. On the one hand, NOX1 activation by TLRs increases ROS production and foam cell generation [
74,
75]. On the other hand, NOX1 participates in atherosclerotic plaque propagation by mediating LDL pinocytosis [
76]. NOX2 has been implicated in macrophage apoptosis during efferocytosis, contributing to increased inflammation and immune cell infiltration into the plaque [
77]. Furthermore, NOX2 promotes lipid accumulation in VSMC, another source of foam cells [
62]. There is no literature suggesting a direct relationship between NOX4 or NOX5 and foam cells, although NOX5 has been associated with VSMC migration in hypertensive patients [
78]. All these studies are summarized in
Figure 3.
3.3. NADPH Oxidases, Plaque Development, Plaque Rupture, and Thrombosis
Foam cells stimulate neighboring VSMC, promoting their migration and proliferation within the atherosclerotic plaque, finally increasing its size. NOX1A mediates VSMC migration, proliferation, and differentiation into macrophage-like cells in ApoE
-/- mice [
79]. These effects of NOX1 on VSMC have been widely described
in vitro and
in vivo [
80,
81,
82]. Interestingly, NOX2 activity follows NOX1 in VSMC, promoting cell migration through a second peak of ROS [
70]. Although the effect of NOX2 on VSMC migration was already described [
62], this study highlights a temporal relationship between two NOXs in a specific cell type.
NOX2 expressed in endothelial cells contributes to vascular remodeling by increasing VSMC proliferation, indicating a paracrine effect derived from NOX activity [
83]. NOX2 in VSMC induces IL-17A production, potentially promoting a phenotypic switch [
84]. The precise role of NOX4 in VSMC migration and differentiation remains unclear, some studies suggest an anti-synthetic and anti-proliferative role [
85], while others propose a pro-migratory one [
86]. Although limited information exists on NOX5 and VSMC, great progress has been made recently. VSMC extracted from hypertensive patients present greater migratory capacity mediated by NOX5 activation [
87]. Regarding vascular calcification, NOX5 promotes the switch of VSMC to a synthetic phenotype that secretes Ca
++-loaded vesicles [
88]. This effect of NOX5 in VSMC-mediated vascular calcification may appear in humans in response to smoking [
33].
Several
in vivo models of atherosclerosis served to evaluate the effects of NOXs on plaque development. NOX1 produces pro-atherosclerotic effects in diabetic mice, as its deletion decreases chemokines secretion, immune infiltration, and profibrotic markers expression [
89]. Interestingly, ET-1 production from endothelial cells is linked to NOX1 pro-atherosclerotic effects
in vivo [
90]. Dietary supplementation with blackberry prevented NOX1 pathological effects
in vivo [
91]. NOX2 plays a pro-atherosclerotic role in early stages of the disease by reducing NO availability [
92]. NOX2 inhibition by gp91ds-tat causes the regression of the atherosclerotic plaques in ApoE
-/- mice [
72]. NOX4 deletion in ApoE
-/- mice accelerates atherosclerosis in response to partial carotid artery ligation under a high-fat diet, suggesting a protective role [
93]. Conversely, in LDLr
-/- mice, NOX4 exhibits a pathological profile in response to a high-fat diet, increasing plaque burden [
49]. NOX4 deletion in VSMC prevents plaque development in response to Ang II [
94]. In coronary artery disease patients, NOX5 appears overexpressed in atherosclerotic plaques, localizing in endothelial cells in early lesions and in VSMC in advanced lesions [
31]. Furthermore, NOX5 colocalizes with immune cells in plaques from patients with atherosclerosis [
95]. Regarding experimental atherosclerosis, endothelial overexpression of human NOX5 in
knock-in mice does not affect plaque development [
96]. However, NOX5 deletion in rabbits aggravates atherosclerosis in response to high-fat diet [
97]. Therefore, it is unclear if NOX5 promotes pathology or acts in response to vascular damage.
NOXs can also modulate the stability of atherosclerotic plaques. NOX1 activation in VSMC promotes the development of unstable plaques [
98]. In a model combining carotid branch ligation, renal artery constriction and high fat diet in ApoE
-/- mice, NOX2 inhibition favors the production of more stable plaques [
99]. NOX4 expression in patients with carotid artery stenosis directly correlates with plaque stability and inversely correlates with caspase-3 activity, suggesting a protective role [
100]. The role of NOX5 in plaque stability remains unknown.
The instability of atherosclerotic plaques leads to rupture and thrombosis. In this stage of the disease, NOXs play a crucial role. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic depletion of NOX1 reduces collagen-dependent thrombosis in a FeCl
3-induced carotid occlusion model [
101]. However, studies where NOX1 is specifically depleted from platelets suggest that NOX1 is involved in thrombin-induced thrombosis. By contrast, NOX2 seems to be involved in collagen-induced thrombosis [
102]. On the contrary, another group describes that NOX2 is dispensable for arterial thrombosis in large vessels [
103]. Finally, in a carotid occlusion model comparing a triple
knock-out mouse (NOX1
-/-, NOX2
-/- and NOX4
-/-) to NOX-specific
knock-out mice, it was concluded that NOX4 does not play a relevant role in pulmonary thromboembolism and
ex vivo platelet aggregation, while NOX1 and NOX2 act as prothrombotic enzymes [
104]. The role that NOX5 plays in thrombosis remains unclear. As it can be observed, there is still some controversy regarding the role of NOXs in thrombosis. All the described studies are summarized in
Figure 4.