Fig. 8.

Schematic illustration demonstrating a potential role of G6PD in hypoxia-induced CD133⁺ cell proliferation and differentiation. Hypoxia stimulates G6PD in both CD133⁺ and PASMCs. Increased G6PD activity and G6PD-derived NADPH redox play a potential role in upregulating HIF1α (and phospho-histone H3 cell cycle-promoting proteins) expression and increasing CD133⁺ cell proliferation. In addition, G6PD-derived NADPH redox fuels NADPH oxidases (Nox)-derived ROS production in the PASMCs. H₂O₂ produced by PASMCs facilitate CD133⁺ attachment to the membrane and differentiation to smooth muscle-like cells that express SM22α and α-actin. Dotted arrow depicts diffusion of H₂O₂.