Abstract
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent endothelial cell-drived vasoconstrictive peptide which is increased in congestive heart failure (CHF). ET-1 is converted from its precursor big ET-1 by activation of endothelin converting enzyme (ECE). ET-1 binding to ET-A receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells stimulates vasoconstriction and binding to ET-B receptor in vascular endothelial cells mediates vasodilation. In previous studies, we and others demonstrated that plasma ET-1 was significantly increased in congestive heart failure. However, the presentation and localization of endothelin converting enzyme and endothelin receptors (ET-A and ET-B) in human cardiac tissue with and without heart failure remain unclear. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate the expression and localization of endothelin receptors and endothelin converting enzyme in human myocardium in the absence or presence of congestive heart failure.Human atrial tissues (n=6) were obtained from normal subjects and end-stage CHF patients during cardiac transplantation. The expression of ECE, ET-A and ET-B were determined by immunohistochemical staining (IHCS).
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