FBXO38 Regulates Nox1 Stability to Reduce Vascular Endothelial Damage Induced by Low Oscillatory Shear Stress

Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are critical drivers of atherosclerosis, but the mechanisms regulating oxidative stress under disturbed flow conditions remain incompletely understood. The ubiquitin–proteasome system, particularly E3 ubiquitin ligases, may play a pivotal role in modulati...

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Main Authors: Wan-li Yu, Li-wen Deng, Huan-huan Li, Chun-kai Wang, Xiang-yi Zuo, Zi-chang Wang, Li Meng, Lan-xin Wen, Wan-zhi Zeng, Yu Zhao, Xue-hu Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Cardiovascular Therapeutics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/cdr/4506032
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author Wan-li Yu
Li-wen Deng
Huan-huan Li
Chun-kai Wang
Xiang-yi Zuo
Zi-chang Wang
Li Meng
Lan-xin Wen
Wan-zhi Zeng
Yu Zhao
Xue-hu Wang
author_facet Wan-li Yu
Li-wen Deng
Huan-huan Li
Chun-kai Wang
Xiang-yi Zuo
Zi-chang Wang
Li Meng
Lan-xin Wen
Wan-zhi Zeng
Yu Zhao
Xue-hu Wang
author_sort Wan-li Yu
collection DOAJ
description Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are critical drivers of atherosclerosis, but the mechanisms regulating oxidative stress under disturbed flow conditions remain incompletely understood. The ubiquitin–proteasome system, particularly E3 ubiquitin ligases, may play a pivotal role in modulating these processes. FBXO38, an E3 ligase involved in proteasomal degradation, has been implicated in various physiological pathways, but its role in regulating oxidative stress in endothelial cells is unknown. We hypothesized that FBXO38 mitigates endothelial damage induced by low oscillatory shear stress (LOSS) by promoting the ubiquitin–proteasome–dependent degradation of Nox1, a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Using an in vitro LOSS model in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and an in vivo mouse partial carotid ligation model, we assessed the expression of FBXO38 and Nox1 through quantitative PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. LOSS significantly reduced FBXO38 protein expression (by ~60%, p<0.0001 at 24 h), leading to increased Nox1 protein levels (approximately two-fold, p<0.001) and apoptosis. FBXO38 overexpression markedly attenuated Nox1 accumulation (~50% reduction, p<0.05), reduced ROS production, and improved cell viability under LOSS conditions, whereas FBXO38 knockdown exacerbated these effects. Moreover, FBXO38 directly interacted with Nox1, suggesting a ubiquitin-dependent degradation mechanism. Our results reveal that FBXO38 regulates endothelial oxidative stress by controlling Nox1 stability under disturbed shear stress conditions. Although FBXO38 emerges as a promising candidate for therapeutic targeting, further studies are necessary to validate its potential in preclinical and clinical settings.
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issn 1755-5922
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-96c732fb663b40c29dbac9bf29dde8212025-08-20T03:48:31ZengWileyCardiovascular Therapeutics1755-59222025-01-01202510.1155/cdr/4506032FBXO38 Regulates Nox1 Stability to Reduce Vascular Endothelial Damage Induced by Low Oscillatory Shear StressWan-li Yu0Li-wen Deng1Huan-huan Li2Chun-kai Wang3Xiang-yi Zuo4Zi-chang Wang5Li Meng6Lan-xin Wen7Wan-zhi Zeng8Yu Zhao9Xue-hu Wang10Department of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of Vascular SurgeryDepartment of Vascular SurgeryOxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction are critical drivers of atherosclerosis, but the mechanisms regulating oxidative stress under disturbed flow conditions remain incompletely understood. The ubiquitin–proteasome system, particularly E3 ubiquitin ligases, may play a pivotal role in modulating these processes. FBXO38, an E3 ligase involved in proteasomal degradation, has been implicated in various physiological pathways, but its role in regulating oxidative stress in endothelial cells is unknown. We hypothesized that FBXO38 mitigates endothelial damage induced by low oscillatory shear stress (LOSS) by promoting the ubiquitin–proteasome–dependent degradation of Nox1, a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Using an in vitro LOSS model in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and an in vivo mouse partial carotid ligation model, we assessed the expression of FBXO38 and Nox1 through quantitative PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. LOSS significantly reduced FBXO38 protein expression (by ~60%, p<0.0001 at 24 h), leading to increased Nox1 protein levels (approximately two-fold, p<0.001) and apoptosis. FBXO38 overexpression markedly attenuated Nox1 accumulation (~50% reduction, p<0.05), reduced ROS production, and improved cell viability under LOSS conditions, whereas FBXO38 knockdown exacerbated these effects. Moreover, FBXO38 directly interacted with Nox1, suggesting a ubiquitin-dependent degradation mechanism. Our results reveal that FBXO38 regulates endothelial oxidative stress by controlling Nox1 stability under disturbed shear stress conditions. Although FBXO38 emerges as a promising candidate for therapeutic targeting, further studies are necessary to validate its potential in preclinical and clinical settings.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/cdr/4506032
spellingShingle Wan-li Yu
Li-wen Deng
Huan-huan Li
Chun-kai Wang
Xiang-yi Zuo
Zi-chang Wang
Li Meng
Lan-xin Wen
Wan-zhi Zeng
Yu Zhao
Xue-hu Wang
FBXO38 Regulates Nox1 Stability to Reduce Vascular Endothelial Damage Induced by Low Oscillatory Shear Stress
Cardiovascular Therapeutics
title FBXO38 Regulates Nox1 Stability to Reduce Vascular Endothelial Damage Induced by Low Oscillatory Shear Stress
title_full FBXO38 Regulates Nox1 Stability to Reduce Vascular Endothelial Damage Induced by Low Oscillatory Shear Stress
title_fullStr FBXO38 Regulates Nox1 Stability to Reduce Vascular Endothelial Damage Induced by Low Oscillatory Shear Stress
title_full_unstemmed FBXO38 Regulates Nox1 Stability to Reduce Vascular Endothelial Damage Induced by Low Oscillatory Shear Stress
title_short FBXO38 Regulates Nox1 Stability to Reduce Vascular Endothelial Damage Induced by Low Oscillatory Shear Stress
title_sort fbxo38 regulates nox1 stability to reduce vascular endothelial damage induced by low oscillatory shear stress
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/cdr/4506032
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