Electrophilic nitro-fatty acids: anti-inflammatory mediators in the vascular compartment

Vascular inflammatory disorders are often associated with both decreased NO bioavailability and a lack of responsiveness to NO, a consequence of impaired NO biosynthesis, dysregulated l-arginine metabolism, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) uncoupling and NO consumption induced by redox reactions of NO. The latter is mediated via oxidative inflammatory conditions altering NO-dependent endothelial function, including vascular tone and cell proliferation. The redox reactions of NO and byproducts such as nitrite can react to yield electrophilic nitro-fatty acid derivatives (NO2-FAs) and exemplify a biochemical convergence of reactions participating in NO and lipid signaling. NO2-FAs represent a novel therapeutic strategy to treat vascular disorders by improving endothelial dysfunction through enhancing NO signaling and blocking vascular smooth muscle proliferation, inflammation, and maladaptive remodeling.