title: Urotensin-II and cardiovascular diseases.
abstract: Urotensin-II (U-II) is a vasoactive factor with pleiotropic effects. U-II exerts its activity by binding to a G-protein-coupled receptor termed UT. U-II and its receptor are highly expressed in the cardiovascular system. Increased U-II plasma levels have been reported in patients with cardiovascular disease of varying etiologies. We and others have shown that U-II and UT expression is elevated in both clinical and experimental heart failure and atherosclerosis. U-II induces cardiac fibrosis by increasing fibroblast collagen synthesis. In addition, U-II induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and increased vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. We have shown that U-II antagonism using a selective U-II blocker, SB-611812 reduces neointimal thickening and increases lumen diameter in a rat restenosis model of carotid artery angioplasty. These findings suggest an important role for U-II in cardiovascular dysfunction and remodeling.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bousette
authors.forename: Adel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giaid
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000503:physiopathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D014579:Urotensins / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D014579:Urotensins; C029677:urotensin II