ISSN:
1423-0127
Keywords:
Vascular smooth muscle
;
Epidermal growth factor
;
Ceramide
;
GTP binding proteins
;
Microtubules
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract In hypertension, increased peripheral resistance maintains elevated levels of arterial blood pressure. The increase in peripheral ressitance results, in part, from abnormal constrictor and dilator responses and vascular remodeling. In this review, we consider four cellular signaling pathways as possible explanations for these abnormal vascular responses: (1) augmented signaling via the epidermal growth factor receptor to cause remodeling of the cerebrovasculature; (2) reduced sphingolipid signaling leading to blunted vasodilation and increased smooth muscle proliferation; (3) increased signaling via Rho/Rho kinase leading to enhanced vasoconstriction, and (4) a relative state of microtubular depolymerization favoring vasoconstriction in hypertension. These novel cell signaling pathways provide new pharmacological targets to reduce total peripheral vascular resistance in hypertension.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF02253359
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