Rho kinase as a target for cerebral vascular disorders.

Abstract

The development of novel pharmaceutical treatments for disorders of the cerebral vasculature is a serious unmet medical need. These vascular disorders are typified by a disruption in the delicate Rho signaling equilibrium within the blood vessel wall. In particular, Rho kinase overactivation in the smooth muscle and endothelial layers of the vessel wall results in cytoskeletal modifications that lead to reduced vascular integrity and abnormal vascular growth. Rho kinase is thus a promising target for the treatment of cerebral vascular disorders. Indeed, preclinical studies indicate that Rho kinase inhibition may reduce the formation/growth/rupture of both intracranial aneurysms and cerebral cavernous malformations.

• Authors: Lisa M Bond, James R Sellers, Lisa McKerracher
• Journal: Future medicinal chemistry (Future Med Chem) Vol. 7 Issue 8 Pg. 1039-53 ( 2015) ISSN: 1756-8927 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 26062400 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Review)

Chemical References

• Protein Kinase Inhibitors
• rho-Associated Kinases

Topics

• Animals
• Cerebrovascular Disorders (drug therapy, enzymology, metabolism)
• Humans
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors (chemistry, pharmacology)
• rho-Associated Kinases (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)