Regulation of endothelium-derived vasoactive autacoid production by hemodynamic forces.
Endothelial cells, which are situated at the interface between blood and the vessel wall, have a crucial role in controlling vascular tone and homeostasis, particularly in determining the expression of pro-atherosclerotic and anti-atherosclerotic genes. Many of these effects are mediated by changes in the generation and release of endothelium-derived autacoids [from the Greek autos (self) and akos (remedy)], which are generally short-lived and locally acting. In vivo, endothelial cells are constantly subjected to mechanical stimulation, which in turn determines the acute production of autacoids and the levels of autacoid-producing enzymes.
Busse
Rudi
R
Institut für Kardiovaskuläre Physiologie, Klinikum der J.W.Goethe.-Universität, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Fleming
Ingrid
I
D000818:Animals; D012898:Autacoids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
D012898:Autacoids; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D014665:Vasodilator Agents