Angiotensin Ii stimulates endothelin-1 release from human endothelial cells
Ciafré, S.A.; D'Armiento, F.P.; Di Gregorio, F.; Colasanti, P.; Di Benedetto, A.; Langella, A.; Di Ieso, N.; Liguori, A.; Colasanti, R.; Napoli, C.
Recenti Progressi in Medicina 84(4): 248-253
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-1193 PMID: 8488329 Document Number: 407542
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is an endothelium-derived vasoconstrictor peptide isolated from the culture supernatant of porcine aortic endothelial cells. This 21 amino-acid residue peptide has potent vasoconstrictive properties in vitro and in vivo. ET-1 action involves phosphatidylinositol turnover, calcium mobilization and protein kinase C activation. Endothelial cells have distinct receptors for different operating through hydrosoluble hormones. The aim of this study was to investigate on a possible role of angiotensin II (ANG II) to modulate the release ET-1 from human endothelial cells in vitro. These data revealed a time- and a dose-dependent increase of ET-1 production in response to ANG II. This mechanism may have important pathophysiological implications in vivo. In fact, a double-mechanism of secretion of ET-1 from endothelial cells could exist: one active in a physiological condition and an other in response to a vasoconstrictor stimuli (as well as ANG II). Furthermore, these results may suggest an additional favourable effect of ACE-inhibition in human hypertension therapy.