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. 2022 Apr 29;13:864007. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.864007

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Simplified cardioprotective signaling pathways of oxytocin. Oxytocin via its G-protein coupled receptors triggers the PLC-β3 pathway and GRKs that cross-activate EGFR while activating their downstream signaling molecules, resulting in the activation of CAMK-AMPK, PKC-ϵ, PI3K/Akt, and pERK1/2 signaling cascades. These signaling cascades mediate cardioprotective functions such as stabilizing electrical activity, alleviating metabolic derangements, and inhibiting inflammation or oxidative stress. AF, atrial fibrillation; Akt, protein kinase B; AMPK, AMP-activated protein kinase; ANP, atrial natriuretic peptide; Ang, Angiotensin; CaMK, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase; EGFR, epidermal growth factor receptor; eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase; ET-1, endothelin-1; GRK, G protein-coupled receptor kinase; HMG-CoA reductase, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase; HPV, hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction; Kv1.5, voltage-gated potassium channel Kv1.5; mKATP C, mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium channels; OXTR, Oxytocin receptor; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases; PLC-β3, phospholipase C-β3; PKC, protein kinase C; TCA, tricarboxylic acid cycle; VE, ventricular ectopy. [Figure originates and adapted from articles (61–64)]. The down arrow symbol (↓) refers to decrease i.e. decrease in the pathology mentioned.