Selemidis S, Cocks TM. Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization as a remote anti-atherogenic mechanism.
Trends Pharmacol Sci 2002;
23:213-20. [PMID:
12007998 DOI:
10.1016/s0165-6147(02)01998-3]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cell injury and the loss of cytoprotective mechanisms that involve nitric oxide, prostacyclin and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) are thought to underlie atherosclerosis, although how these mechanisms are anti-atherogenic is unclear. This is particularly so because thrombus formation, one of the major initiators of the disease, usually occurs at discrete luminal sites; thus, only small numbers of endothelial cells can be recruited to initiate anti-inflammatory responses. However, we, and others, have demonstrated that locally generated EDH spreads to endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells throughout a vessel to cause remote vasodilatation. In this article, we propose that, in addition to a widespread inhibitory signalling mechanism, EDH produced by the endothelium also initiates remote anti-inflammatory actions that prevent large blood vessels developing atherosclerosis.
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