An emerging role for the B-type endothelin receptor in placental ischemia-induced hypertension

摘要

since its discovery in 1987, the vasoactive peptide endothe-lin has been implicated in the physiology of a broad range of organ systems and tissues, and its role in the pathophysiol-ogy of disease is widely investigated. The endothelin system is complex and unique, with many of its functions remaining unclear despite intensive research. The active ligand, endo-thelin-1 (ET-1), is derived from a pre-pro endothelin peptide, which is cleaved to big ET-1 and then to active ET-1. Secretion seems to be directional from the basolateral side of endothelial cells where it is secreted to act in an autocrine or paracrine manner on 1 of 2 different G-protein-coupled receptors with opposing effects on vascular tone.