Modulation of endothelin production and metabolism in guinea-pig tracheal epithelial cells by peptidase inhibitors

摘要

Endothelins (IT-1,ET-2ET-3) are potent bronchoconstrictors and growth-promoting mediators. They are released from various cells such as endothelial and epithelial cells. In the airways, Ets are re- Leased under basal and stimulated conditions. In patients with status asthmaticus and other pulmo- Nary disorders, the expression and production of ET-1 are increased. We investigated the activities of Endothelin-converting enzymes (ECE) and endothelin-degrading enzymes, mostly neutral endopep- Tidases (NEP), in guinea-pig tracheal epithelial cells in culture through the use of various enzyme in- Hibitors