Abstract

In pregnancy spiral arteries, are invaded by endovascular trophoblasts (EVT) and remodeled. Previously, NOS, and of smooth muscle proteins expression in EVT, and endothelin-1 (ET1) ex-vivo contraction of the remodeled artery were demonstrated, mediated by ET1 receptors A and B (ETA, ETB) Placentas on gestational day 21, were dissected, spiral artery rings devoid of smooth muscle were fixed to a silicon-coated 8-well chamber slide in oxygenated solution. Rings cut surface area (CSA) was observed under laser scanning confocal microscope. Following baseline, L-NAME and 10- 5 M, ET-1 10-7 M were added to some chambers. In other wells, also with ETA antagonist at 10-6 M (BQ-123). CSA was measured using ImageJ software. L-NAME alone, reduced CSA by 2.5% p=0.002. Addition of ET-1 to L-NAME, reduced CSA area immediately, compared with a plateau at 60min by ET1 p=0.001 .L-NAME, followed by ET-1 and ETA antagonist, the isolated constrictive effect of ET-1 via ETB, 7.2%, was earlier and stronger n than via ETA, 6.1% p< 0.001 (figure). L-NAME + ET-1 causes contraction of the arterial ring via ETA and ETB, without the dilatory effect of NO. ET-1 alone shows an earlier, immediate CSA reduction, compared to that of ET-1 without L-NAME, achieved at 40-60 minutes. This is in accordance with the instantaneous NO effect through ETB, compared with the gradual ET-1 induced CSA reduction .To isolate the contracting effect via ETB, we added L-NAME + ETA+ ET-1. The ETB contraction is earlier and stronger than that via ETA. Thus, EVT of the rat remodeled spiral artery react to ET-1 like vascular smooth muscle of non-modified arteries: contraction via receptors A and B and relaxation via receptor B through NOS.

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