Increased TMEM16A-encoded calcium-activated chloride channel activity is associated with pulmonary hypertension.

ABSTRACT: Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) are more depolarized and display higher Ca(2+) levels in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Whether the functional properties and expression of Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channels (Cl(Ca)), an important excitatory mechanism in PASMCs, are altered in PH is unknown. The potential role of Cl(Ca) channels in PH was investigated using the monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH model in the rat. Three weeks postinjection with a single dose of MCT (50 mg/kg ip), the animals developed right ventricular hypertrophy (heart weight measurements) and changes in pulmonary arterial flow (pulse-waved Doppler imaging) that were consistent with increased pulmonary arterial pressure and PH. Whole cell patch experiments revealed an increase in niflumic acid (NFA)-sensitive Ca(2+)-act

SUBMITTER: Forrest AS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3532492 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature