We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Rho/Rho-kinase Mediate Gender Differences in Vascular Contractions.
- Authors
Lamping, Kathryn Griffin; Korovkina, Victoria P.; England, Sarah K.; Nuno, Daniel W.
- Abstract
Objective: Premenopausal women have a reduced risk for vascular disease compared to men, however, the underlying mechanism is unknown. We hypothesized that gender differences in vascular contractility are mediated by differential activation of the Rho/rhokinase pathway. Methods and results: In isolated aortic rings, dose-dependent contractions to serotonin were greater in male versus female mice. Greater contractions in male arteries compared to female arteries persisted following inhibition of NOS with nitro-L-arginine, genetic deficiency of eNOS, and removal of endothelium indicating that NO and/or other endothelial-derived factors do not account for the difference. Inhibition of serotonin 5HT2A receptors and rho-kinase (Y27632) abolished the difference in serotonin-induced contractions. The greater contraction in males following serotonin was not due to enhanced expression of 5HT2A receptors, rho-kinase isoforms (ROCK1 or ROCK2), RhoA, the upstream activator of rho-kinase or CPI-17 (western immunoblotting). However, modified ELISA analyses demonstrated a greater basal activity and serotonin-induced activation of Rho in male aorta versus female aorta. Conclusion: We conclude that differences in RhoA activation underlie the gender influences in contractions to serotonin.
- Subjects
VASCULAR diseases; SEX factors in disease; ARGININE; ENDOTHELIUM; SEROTONIN; LABORATORY mice
- Publication
FASEB Journal, 2007, Vol 21, Issue 5, pA520
- ISSN
0892-6638
- Publication type
Article