Endothelin in cardiopulmonary disease: factor paracrine vs neurohumoral.
Endothelin-1 is a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide which also has important growth promoting effects on other cellular elements of the vascular wall. Increased local expression and release of endothelin-1 may therefore contribute to abnormal vascular tone and structure in paracrine fashion. Evidence of increased pulmonary production of endothelin-1 by the lung in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension is reviewed, including increased release across the pulmonary circulation and increased vascular expression of the peptide and its mRNA. However, circulating endothelin-1 might also have a humoral action on distant vascular beds. Changes in plasma endothelin-1 in response to postural change and chronic heart failure support a role for this potent vasoconstrictor factor in the neurohumoral response to haemodynamic stress. Thus, like other vascular regulatory mechanisms, the endothelin system might play a dual role in the control of vascular function with both local tissue and circulatory components.
Stewart
D J
DJ
McGill University, McGill Vascular Biology Group, Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
D000818:Animals; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D016232:Endothelins / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology
D016232:Endothelins; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents