Voltage-dependent and agonist-activated ionic currents in vascular endothelial cells: a review.
Vascular endothelial cells produce a variety of substances known to modulate the tone of surrounding smooth muscle, but the initial steps involved in receptor-response coupling are poorly characterized in these cells. Because the stimulated release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor depends on the presence of external calcium, ion channel-mediated calcium influx might represent an essential first link. Furthermore, agonist-induced endothelial cell hyperpolarization has been widely described, although the ion channels involved and the functional significance of this response remain uncertain. A review of the available literature to date concerning voltage-dependent and agonist-activated ionic currents obtained using patch clamp techniques in vascular endothelial cells is presented here. A discussion of the possible functional roles of the underlying ion channels is included.
Université Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg, CNRS URA600, Illkirch, France.
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K
Takeda
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M
Klepper
D000818:Animals; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D007473:Ion Channels