title: Intracellular angiotensin II as a regulator of muscle tone in vascular resistance vessels. Pathophysiological implications.
abstract: The influence of intracellular angiotensin II on the regulation of potassium current and membrane potential of smooth muscle cells of mesenteric arteries and its relevance for the regulation of vascular tone was reviewed. The presence of components of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) in different cells of the cardiovascular system, was discussed including their presence in the nuclei and mitochondria. Emphasis was given to the opposite effects of intracellular and extracellular angiotensin II (Ang II) on the regulation of potassium current, membrane potential and contractility of vascular resistance vessels and its implication to vascular physiology and pathology and the possible role of epigenetic factors on the expression of angiotensin II (Ang II) and renin in vascular resistance vessels as well as its possible pathophysiological role in hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Campus, UPR, San Juan, PR 00936-5067, USA. Electronic address: walmor.de-mello@upr.edu.
authors.forename: Walmor C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: De Mello
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002414:Cations, Monovalent; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017136:Ion Transport; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008638:Mesenteric Arteries / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D009129:Muscle Tonus; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D012083:Renin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology; D014655:Vascular Resistance
chemical_list: D002414:Cations, Monovalent; D000804:Angiotensin II; D012083:Renin; D011188:Potassium
keywords: Angiotensin II; Extracellular; Intracellular; Mesenteric artery myocyte; Potassium current; Rat