Expression of ETA and ETB receptor mRNA in human cerebral arteries

• The vascular effects of endothelins (ET) are in mammals mediated via two receptor subtypes, endothelin A (ETA, mainly constrictive) and endothelin B (ETB, mainly dilating) receptors. We have examined the presence of ETA and ETB receptor mRNA using the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in both normal human cerebral arteries and cerebral arteries from patients with cerebrovascular disease. Two vessel preparations were studied: macroscopic arteries and microvessels, the latter obtained through a sensitive separation method. In endothelial cells both ETA and ETB receptor mRNA was detected. In almost all samples from normal cerebral arteries only ETA receptor mRNA was detected, whereas in vessel samples from patients with cerebrovascular disease as well as cerebral neoplasms, additional ETB receptor mRNA was detected significantly more frequently. The pathophysiological significance of this difference is at present speculative, but does point to a vascular involvement of this receptor in cerebrovascular disease.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Annan klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Other Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

vascular smooth muscle cells

human

endothelium

cerebral arteries

endothelin receptors

mRNA

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)