17β-Estradiol Increases APE1/Ref-1 Secretion in Vascular Endothelial Cells and Ovariectomized Mice: Involvement of Calcium-Dependent Exosome Pathway

The study examined the effect of 17β-estradiol (E2) on the secretion of APE1/Ref-1 in vascular endothelial cells and ovariectomized mice, finding that E2 significantly increased APE1/Ref-1 secretion through a calcium-dependent exosome pathway. This process was reliant on estrogen receptor binding and intracellular calcium, as demonstrated by the use of specific inhibitors. E2 treatment raised APE1/Ref-1 levels in both short-term and long-term experiments, and in ovariectomized mice, E2 administration elevated plasma APE1/Ref-1 levels. The study highlighted the potential role of E2 in regulating APE1/Ref-1 secretion, which could have implications for understanding vascular health and the impact of hormonal changes on vascular inflammation biomarkers.