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INVITED REVIEW
Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Magee-Women's Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
Although traditionally associated with reproductive processes, relaxin is emerging as an important player in renal and cardiovascular function. Much of our recently acquired understanding of relaxin in this new context has arisen from studies of maternal renal and cardiovascular adaptations to pregnancy in rats where the hormone is turning out to be an important mediator. First, we highlight the influence of relaxin on renal hemodynamics and glomerular filtration rate, as well as on other peripheral circulations. Second, we discuss the effect of relaxin on both the steady and pulsatile systemic arterial load, as well as on the heart, in particular, coronary blood flow. Third, we consider the impact of the hormone on cultured endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. Fourth, we address the interaction of relaxin with renal and cardiac disease, as well as its role in angiogenesis. Finally, in Perspectives, we point out several key research questions in need of investigation that relate to a potential autocrine/paracrine role of relaxin in renal and cardiovascular tissues. Furthermore, on the basis of its potent vasodilatory and matrix-degrading attributes, we speculate about the therapeutic potential of relaxin in renal and cardiovascular diseases.
pregnancy; kidney circulation; glomerular filtration; osmoregulation; peripheral circulation; systemic hemodynamics; vasodilation; arterial compliance; heart; myogenic reactivity; angiogenesis; relaxin receptors; matrix metalloproteinase; gelatinase; endothelin B receptor; nitric oxide; angiotensin II
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