The Enigmatic Vascular NOX: From Artifact to Double Agent of Change Arthur C. Corcoran Memorial Lecture-2019

NOXs (NADPH oxidases) comprise a family of proteins whose primary function is the production of reactive oxygen species, namely, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide. The prototype first being discovered and characterized in neutrophils, multiple NOXs are now known to be broadly expressed in cell and organ systems and whose phylogeny spans countless life forms beginning with prokaryotes. This long-enduring evolutionary conservation underscores the importance of fundamental NOX functions. This review chronicles a personal perspective of the field beginning with the discovery of NOXs in the vasculature and the advances achieved through the years as to our understanding of their mechanisms of action and role in oxidative stress and disease. Furthermore, applications of isoform-selective inhibitors to dissect the role of NOX isozymes in vascular biology, focusing on inflammation, pulmonary hypertension, and aging are described.

Automated summary

NOXs are a family of proteins that produce reactive oxygen species, found in various cell and organ systems. The evolutionary conservation highlights their importance, with research focusing on their mechanisms of action and role in oxidative stress and disease, starting from their discovery in vasculature. Studies have also used isoform-selective inhibitors to investigate the role of NOX isozymes in vascular biology, particularly in inflammation, pulmonary hypertension, and aging.