Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
Pt 3
pubmed:dateCreated
2004-12-17
pubmed:abstractText
The aim of this study was to identify the mechanisms by which angiotensin II alters the physiology of the pericyte-containing microvasculature of the retina. Despite evidence that this vasoactive signal regulates capillary perfusion by inducing abluminal pericytes to contract and thereby microvascular lumens to constrict, little is known about the events linking angiotensin exposure with pericyte contraction. Here, using microvessels freshly isolated from the adult rat retina, we monitored pericyte currents via perforated-patch pipettes, measured pericyte calcium levels with fura-2 and visualized pericyte contractions and lumen constrictions by time-lapse photography. We found that angiotensin activates nonspecific cation (NSC) and calcium-activated chloride channels; the opening of these channels induces a depolarization that is sufficient to activate the voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) expressed in the retinal microvasculature. Associated with these changes in ion channel activity, intracellular calcium levels rise, pericytes contract and microvascular lumens narrow. Our experiments revealed that an influx of calcium through the NSC channels is an essential step linking the activation of AT(1) angiotensin receptors with pericyte contraction. Although not required in order for angiotensin to induce pericytes to contract, calcium entry via VDCCs serves to enhance the contractile response of these cells. In addition to activating nonspecific cation, calcium-activated chloride and voltage-dependent calcium channels, angiotensin II also causes the functional uncoupling of pericytes from their microvascular neighbours. This inhibition of gap junction-mediated intercellular communication suggests a previously unappreciated complexity in the spatiotemporal dynamics of the microvascular response to angiotensin II.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:commentsCorrections
http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-10067976, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-10601495, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-10620202, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-10754435, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-10871288, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-11430889, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-11431461, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-11516249, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-11694503, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-11867611, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-11997323, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-12020084, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-12217877, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-12228065, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-12560212, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-12876212, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-13755464, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-14638741, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-15072960, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-15123628, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-1795186, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-2244923, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-2451020, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-3357753, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-3838314, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-7514508, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-8370472, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-9057269, http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/commentcorrection/15486015-9683560
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
0022-3751
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
561
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
671-83
pubmed:dateRevised
2009-11-18
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2004
pubmed:articleTitle
Effects of angiotensin II on the pericyte-containing microvasculature of the rat retina.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, 1000 Wall Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, In Vitro, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural