[Progress in research on the functions of calcium and chloride channels in vascular endothelial cells].
Endothelial cells (EC) lining the inner lumen of the blood vessels are rich in ion channels that constitute the basis of a unique signal transduction function of the cells. The abundance of calcium and chloride channels in the plasma membrane of these nonexcitable cells has raised questions in regard to their functional roles. This review presents evidence for the involvement of these channels in the endothelial cell functions, in an attempt to further explore the relationship between cardiovascular diseases and functional abnormalities of the ion channels.
Ren
Jing-li
JL
Department of Pharmacology, Zhongshan Medical College, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China.
Guang
Yong-yuan
YY
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D018118:Chloride Channels / Q000502:physiology*; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator / Q000502:physiology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D050052:TRPC Cation Channels
C505032:CFTR protein, human; D015220:Calcium Channels; D018118:Chloride Channels; D050052:TRPC Cation Channels; D019005:Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator; D002118:Calcium