Reciprocal regulation of NRF2 by autophagy and ubiquitin–proteasome modulates vascular endothelial injury induced by copper oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

Highlights 1. CuONPs exposure activates NRF2 signaling in vascular endothelial cells and mouse thoracic aorta. 2. KEAP1 is dispensable for NRF2 activation in CuONPs-treated vascular endothelial cells. 3. CuONPs-induced autophagy facilitates NRF2 activation in vascular endothelial cells and mouse thoracic aorta. 4. Autophagy and ubiquitin–proteasome reciprocally regulate NRF2 activation in CuONPs-treated vascular endothelial cells and mouse thoracic aorta.

Keywords

• CuONPs
• Vascular injury
• NRF2
• Autophagy
• Ubiquitin–proteasome system