Endothelin-1, the unfolded protein response, and persistent inflammation: role of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells.

ABSTRACT: Endothelin-1 is a potent vasoactive peptide that occurs in chronically high levels in humans with pulmonary hypertension and in animal models of the disease. Recently, the unfolded protein response was implicated in a variety of diseases, including pulmonary hypertension. In addition, evidence is increasing for pathological, persistent inflammation in the pathobiology of this disease. We investigated whether endothelin-1 might engage the unfolded protein response and thus link inflammation and the production of hyaluronic acid by pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Using immunoblot, real-time PCR, immunofluorescence, and luciferase assays, we found that endothelin-1 induces both a transcriptional and posttranslational activation of the three major arms of the unfolded protein response. T

SUBMITTER: Yeager ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3262656 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature