In vitro sepsis induces Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ receptor (NOP) expression in primary human vascular endothelial but not smooth muscle cells.

ABSTRACT: Sepsis is a dysregulated host response to infection that can cause widespread effects on other organs including cardiovascular depression, hypotension and organ failure. The receptor for Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ), NOP is expressed on immune cells and these cells can release the peptide. Exogenous N/OFQ can dilate blood vessels and this peptide is increased in animal and human sepsis. We hypothesise that NOP receptors are present on vascular endothelial cells and therefore provide the target for released N/OFQ to cause vasodilation and hence hypotension. Using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMC) freshly prepared from umbilical cords and up to passage 4, we assessed NOP mRNA expression by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), NOP surf

SUBMITTER: Bird MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9477356 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature