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Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 293: R1215-R1221, 2007. First published June 6, 2007; doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00076.2007
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NEUROHUMORAL CONTROL OF CARDIOVASCULAR FUNCTION

Impact of {alpha}1-adrenoceptor expression on contractile properties of vascular smooth muscle cells

Adrian Gericke,1 Peter Martinka,1 Irina Nazarenko,2 Pontus B. Persson,1 and Andreas Patzak1

1Institute of Vegetative Physiology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin, Germany; and 2Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin, Germany

Submitted 1 February 2007 ; accepted in final form 5 June 2007

Low-frequency blood pressure oscillations (Mayer waves) are discussed as a marker for sympathetic modulation of vascular tone. However, the factors that determine the frequency response of the vasculature to sympathetic stimuli are not fully understood. Possible mechanisms include functions related to {alpha}1-adrenergic receptors ({alpha}1-AR) and postreceptor processes involved in the vascular contractile response. The purpose of the present study was to examine the hypothesis that expression levels of {alpha}1-AR and their subtype distribution determine velocity and magnitude of {alpha}1-AR-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) contraction. {alpha}1A-, {alpha}1B-, and {alpha}1D-AR subtypes were transfected into VSMCs from rat aorta and characterized immunocytochemically via confocal microscopy. Functional studies in isolated cells were performed using video microscopy. The {alpha}1-AR agonist phenylephrine produced dose-dependent contractions of VSMCs. All transfected groups were more sensitive to phenylephrine compared with controls. Maximal contraction velocity almost doubled in transfected cells. However, no differences in observed parameters were found between the three transfected groups. Contractile properties in response to membrane depolarization with KCl were similar in all groups. In conclusion, {alpha}1-AR density determines velocity and sensitivity of {alpha}1-AR-mediated contraction in VSMCs. {alpha}1-AR subtype distribution does not appear to influence vasoconstriction to sympathetic stimuli.

alpha1; nervous system; sympathetic; Mayer waves; gene transfection


Address for reprint requests and other correspondence: A. Gericke, Institute of Vegetative Physiology, Charité Univ. Medicine, Tucholskystr. 2, 10117 Berlin, Germany (e-mail: adrian.gericke{at}gmx.net)






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