Abstract
The plasticity of endothelin ETB receptor activity and the influence of pro-inflammatory cytokines was examined in cerebral artery. In fresh rat basilar artery, the selective ETB receptor agonist, sarafotoxin S6c, induced negligible contractions. However, after 1 day of organ culture, fully defined concentration-response curves were obtained in artery segments exposed to sarafotoxin S6c. Organ culture in the presence of either interleukin-1 beta or tumour necrosis factor-alpha, but not interleukin-2 or interleukin-6, further amplified the maximal contraction to sarafotoxin S6c. The plasticity of ETB receptor expression in cerebral arteries and sensitivity for pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggest a role in inflammatory cerebral diseases such as stroke.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Cerebral Arteries / drug effects*
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Cerebral Arteries / physiology*
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Cytokines / pharmacology*
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Interleukin-1 / pharmacology
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Interleukin-2 / pharmacology
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Interleukin-6 / pharmacology
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Male
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Organ Culture Techniques
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Rats
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Rats, Inbred WKY
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Receptor, Endothelin B
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Receptors, Endothelin / drug effects
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Receptors, Endothelin / physiology*
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
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Vasoconstriction / drug effects*
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Vasoconstriction / physiology*
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Vasoconstrictor Agents / pharmacology
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Viper Venoms / pharmacology
Substances
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Cytokines
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Interleukin-1
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Interleukin-2
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Interleukin-6
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Receptor, Endothelin B
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Receptors, Endothelin
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Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
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Vasoconstrictor Agents
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Viper Venoms
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sarafotoxins s6