Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2007159 | Peptides | 2008 | 5 Pages |
Abstract
Urotensin II, through its interaction with its UT receptor, is a potent vasoactive peptide in humans and in several animal models. Recent studies have demonstrated elevated plasma U-II levels in patients with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. U-II is expressed in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and infiltrating macrophages of atherosclerotic human coronary arteries. UT receptor expression is up-regulated by inflammatory stimuli. Activation of UT receptor by U-II stimulates endothelial and smooth muscle cell proliferation and monocytes chemotaxis. Therefore, in addition to its primary vasoactive effect, these observations suggest a role of U-II and UT receptor in the initiation and/or progression of atherosclerosis.
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Authors
Gervaise Loirand, Malvyne Rolli-Derkinderen, Pierre Pacaud,