Temporal regulation of endothelial ET-1 and eNOS expression in intact human conduit vessels exposed to different intraluminal pressure levels at physiological shear stress.
OBJECTIVE
By using a computerized vascular perfusion model, we investigated temporal effects of sub-acute pressure elevation on vasomotor behavior and expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in intact human conduit vessels.


METHODS
Paired umbilical veins were perfused during 1.5, 3 and 6 h under high/low intraluminal pressure (40/20 mmHg) and at identical shear stress level of 10 dyn/cm(2). ET-1 and eNOS gene and protein expression was quantified with real-time reverse-transcribed polymerase chain reaction and quantitative immunohistochemistry, respectively.


RESULTS
Pressure induced differential temporal regulation patterns of ET-1 and eNOS gene expression. During the high pressure condition, eNOS mRNA was upregulated after 3 h and leveled off after 6 h of perfusion, while ET-1 mRNA was elevated after 6 h perfusion. Immunohistochemistry verified synchronal changes at the protein level. Significant vasodilation was observed after 3 h in the high-pressure system.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, subacute pressure elevation exerts differential effects on the endothelial eNOS/ET-1 expression, which dynamically regulate the vasomotor tone.
Gan
L M
LM
Clinical Experimental Research Laboratory, Heart and Lung Institute, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/Ostra, Göteborg University, SE 416 85, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Selin-Sjögren
L
L
Doroudi
R
R
Jern
S
S
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003198:Computer Simulation; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D010477:Perfusion; D011312:Pressure; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013997:Time Factors; D014655:Vascular Resistance
D019332:Endothelin-1; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III