Heterocellular communication between vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and
endothelial cells (EC) at the myoendothelial junction (MEJ) is a critical part of control of the …

The endothelium-derived autacoids, nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI2), play a crucial
role in the regulation of local vascular tone. However, these two factors alone cannot …

Arterioles within the microcirculation control organ blood flow and represent the main
peripheral resistance within the circulation. However, larger vessels with a diameter of more …

Cellular interaction in vessels is achieved by multiple communication pathways, including
gap junctions (GJs). They provide intercellular channels, allowing direct interaction of …

Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle provides a major
pathway for relaxation in resistance arteries. This can occur due to direct electrical coupling …

Within the vasculature, specialized cellular extensions from endothelium (and sometimes
smooth muscle) protrude through the extracellular matrix where they interact with the …

The endothelium is an important regulator of arterial vascular tone, acting to release nitric
oxide (NO) and open Ca 2+-activated K+(K Ca) channels to relax vascular smooth muscle …

Integration and coordination of responses among vascular wall cells are critical to the local
modulation of vasomotor tone and to the maintenance of circulatory homeostasis. This …

Phenotypic variability in smooth muscle cells accounts, in large part, for the incredible
functional diversity required of the involuntary hollow organs of the body (ie, respiratory …

The endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) contributes critically to the
regulation of vascular tone. Its dependency on direct signaling through myoendothelial gap …