Signalling mechanisms within and between cells of the vasculature enable function and maintain homeostasis. However, a number of these mechanisms also contribute to the pathophysiology of vascular disease states. The multifunctional signalling molecule calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) has been shown to have critical functional effects in many tissue types. For example, CaMKII is known to have a dual role in cardiac physiology and pathology. The function of CaMKII within the vasculature is incompletely understood, but emerging evidence points to potential physiological and pathological roles. This review discusses the evidence for CaMKII signalling within the vasculature, with the aim to better understand both positive and potentially deleterious effects of CaMKII activation in vascular tissue.
Keywords: Atherosclerosis; CaMKII; Endothelial cells; Vascular disease.
Copyright © 2017 Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS) and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.