title: alpha-Toxin perfusion: a new method for selective impairment of endothelial function in isolated vessels or intact vascular beds.
abstract: We describe a method for selectively permeabilizing endothelial cells, using the membrane pore forming exoprotein Staphylococcus aureus alpha-toxin. Experiments were performed in rabbit central ear artery or its main side branch under isometric conditions, on the isolated perfused kidney, or in cannulated pressurized renal arteries. In presence of alpha-toxin, endothelial-dependent vasodilator responses elicited by acetylcholine or A23187 were abolished, whereas the sensitivity of smooth muscle cells to constrictors (norepinephrine, phenylephrine, or KCl) or dilators (sodium nitroprusside) was not affected. The results indicate that restricting the alpha-toxin to the luminal surface induces selective impairment of vascular endothelial function. This method of eliminating endothelium-dependent vasodilator responses may prove to be useful in the study of endothelial-smooth muscle interactions of isolated small arteries and intact vascular beds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Vermont, Burlington 05405-0068, USA.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Laher
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thorin-Trescases
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laporte
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Osol
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000187:drug effects; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D006224:Cricetinae; D004431:Ear, External / Q000098:blood supply; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000187:drug effects; D012079:Renal Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D010738:Type C Phospholipases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D010738:Type C Phospholipases; D000109:Acetylcholine