Overview: Physiological Role of K+Channels in the Regulation of Vascular Tone

Author(s):  
Joseph E. Brayden
2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (3) ◽  
pp. H1411-H1416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huda E. Tawfik ◽  
J. Schnermann ◽  
Peter J. Oldenburg ◽  
S. Jamal Mustafa

The vascular response to adenosine and its analogs is mediated by four adenosine receptors (ARs), namely, A1, A2A, A2B, and A3. A2AARs and/or A2BARs are involved in adenosine-mediated vascular relaxation of coronary and aortic beds. However, the role of A1ARs in the regulation of vascular tone is less well substantiated. The aim of this study was to determine the role of A1ARs in adenosine-mediated regulation of vascular tone. A1AR-knockout [A1AR(−/−)] mice and available pharmacological tools were used to elucidate the function of A1ARs and the impact of these receptors on the regulation of vascular tone. Isolated aortic rings from A1AR(−/−) and wild-type [A1AR(+/+)] mice were precontracted with phenylephrine, and concentration-response curves for adenosine and its analogs, 5′- N-ethyl-carboxamidoadenosine (NECA, nonselective), 2-chloro- N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA, A1AR selective), 2-(2-carboxyethyl)phenethyl amino-5′- N-ethylcarboxamido-adenosine (CGS-21680, A2A selective), and 2-chloro- N6-3-iodobenzyladenosine-5′- N-methyluronamide (Cl-IBMECA, A3 selective) were obtained to determine relaxation. Adenosine and NECA (0.1 μM) caused small contractions of 13.9 ± 3.0 and 16.4 ± 6.4%, respectively, and CCPA at 0.1 and 1.0 μM caused contractions of 30.8 ± 4.3 and 28.1 ± 3.9%, respectively, in A1AR(+/+) rings. NECA- and CCPA-induced contractions were eliminated by 100 nM of 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (DPCPX, selective A1AR antagonist). Adenosine, NECA, and CGS-21680 produced an increase in maximal relaxation in A1AR(−/−) compared with A1AR(+/+) rings, whereas Cl-IBMECA did not produce contraction in either A1AR(+/+) or A1AR(−/−) rings. CCPA-induced contraction at 1.0 μM was eliminated by the PLC inhibitor U-73122. These data suggest that activation of A1ARs causes contraction of vascular smooth muscle through PLC pathways and negatively modulates the vascular relaxation mediated by other adenosine receptor subtypes.


1997 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Masahiro Ikeda ◽  
Chizuru Morita ◽  
Makoto Mizuno ◽  
Toshio Sada ◽  
Hiroyuki Koike

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 565-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael P. Walsh ◽  
Gary J. Kargacin ◽  
John Kendrick-Jones ◽  
Thomas M. Lincoln

Vascular smooth muscle contraction is thought to occur by a mechanism similar to that described for striated muscles, i.e., via a cross-bridge cycling – sliding filament mechanism. This symposium focused on Ca2+ signalling and the role of intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, in regulating vascular tone: how contractile stimuli leading to an increase in [Ca2+]i trigger vasoconstriction and how relaxant signals reduce [Ca2+]i causing vasodilation. M.P. Walsh opened the symposium with an overview emphasizing the central role of myosin phosphorylation–dephosphorylation in the regulation of vascular tone and identifying recent developments concerning regulation of [Ca2+]i, Ca2+ sensitization and desensitization of the contractile response, Ca2+-independent protein kinase C induced contraction, and direct regulation of cross-bridge cycling by the thin filament associated proteins caldesmon and calponin. The remainder of the symposium focused on three specific areas related to the regulation of vascular tone: Ca2+ signalling in relation to smooth muscle structure, structure–function relations of myosin, and the role of cyclic GMP (cGMP) dependent protein kinase. G.J. Kargacin described how smooth muscle cells are structured and how second messenger signals such as Ca2+ might be modified or influenced by this structure. J. Kendrick-Jones then discussed the results of mutagenesis studies aimed at understanding how the myosin light chains, particularly the phosphorylatable (Ca2+–calmodulin dependent) regulatory light chains, control myosin. The vasorelaxant effects of signalling molecules such as β-adrenergic agents and nitrovasodilators are mediated by cyclic nucleotide dependent protein kinases, leading principally to a reduction in [Ca2+]i. T.M. Lincoln described the roles of cyclic nucleotide dependent protein kinases, in particular cyclic GMP dependent protein kinase, in vasodilation.Key words: vascular smooth muscle, regulation of contraction, smooth muscle structure, calcium, cyclic GMP, myosin.


2002 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 286-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umberto Campia ◽  
Wassim K Choucair ◽  
Melissa B Bryant ◽  
Arshed A Quyyumi ◽  
Carmine Cardillo ◽  
...  

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