Angiotensin II‐elicited signal transduction via AT1 receptors in endothelial cells

ME Pueyo, N N'Diaye, JB Michel - British journal of …, 1996 - Wiley Online Library
ME Pueyo, N N'Diaye, JB Michel
British journal of pharmacology, 1996Wiley Online Library
1. Angiotensin II (AII) actions are mediated by two distinct types of receptors: AT1, which
includes two subtypes, AT1A and AT1B, and AT2. AII produces vasoconstriction on the
vascular wall acting directly on smooth muscle cells via AT1 receptors. AII receptors have
recently been demonstrated on endothelial cells. But the pharmacological characteristics of
these receptors and the intracellular signal pathways coupled to them remain unclear. 2.
The aim of this work was to characterize the AII receptor subtypes in rat aortic endothelial …
  • 1
    . Angiotensin II (AII) actions are mediated by two distinct types of receptors: AT1, which includes two subtypes, AT1A and AT1B, and AT2. AII produces vasoconstriction on the vascular wall acting directly on smooth muscle cells via AT1 receptors. AII receptors have recently been demonstrated on endothelial cells. But the pharmacological characteristics of these receptors and the intracellular signal pathways coupled to them remain unclear.
  • 2
    . The aim of this work was to characterize the AII receptor subtypes in rat aortic endothelial cells (RAEC) in primary culture and to evaluate the signal pathways coupled to these receptors by measuring the activation of phospholipase C (PLC) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2).
  • 3
    . Labelled AII bound to RAEC in a specific, saturable manner. Scatchard analysis showed a Kd of 1.87±0.49 nM and a Bmax of 50.2±10.9 × 103 sites per cell. AII was displaced by the AT1‐specific antagonist, DuP753 with a Ki of 17.37 ± 1.49 nM, but not by the AT2 receptor analogues CGP42771B or PD123177. These data were confirmed by the finding of AT1 mRNA in endothelial cells. Analysis of RNA expression by RT‐PCR showed the presence of both subtypes, AT1A and AT1B, in endothelial cells, whereas smooth muscle cells express only AT1A.
  • 4
    . The activation of PLC and PLA2 in response to AII was evaluated by measuring inositol phosphate production and arachidonic acid release, respectively. Both were enhanced by AII in a dose‐dependent manner, and inhibited by DuP753, but not by PD123177.
  • 5
    . We conclude that AT1 receptors are expressed by endothelial cells in primary culture and that phospholipase C and phospholipase A2 are activated via this receptor.
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