Abstract | BACKGROUND: Human urotensin II is an 11-aminoacid peptide with a controversial role in the human cardiovascular system. Indeed, urotensin effects on vascular reactivity and in heart failure are well documented, while its potential role in the pathophysiology of athero- thrombosis is still unknown. This study investigates the effects of urotensin on tissue factor (TF) and VCAM-1/ICAM-1 expression in human coronary endothelial cells (HCAECs). METHODS AND RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: Data of the present study, although in vitro, describe the close relationship existing between urotensin II and athero- thrombosis, providing for the first time support for the view that this peptide might have not only vasoactive functions but it might be an effector molecule able to induce a pro-atherothrombotic phenotype in cells of the coronary circulation. Although future studies are required to clarify whether these mechanisms are also important in the clinical setting, this report supports an emerging new role for urotensin II in the pathogenesis and progression of cardiovascular disease.
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Authors | P Cirillo, S De Rosa, M Pacileo, A Gargiulo, V Angri, I Fiorentino, N Prevete, G Petrillo, R De Palma, A Leonardi, A De Paulis, M Chiariello |
Journal | Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH
(J Thromb Haemost)
Vol. 6
Issue 5
Pg. 726-36
(May 2008)
ISSN: 1538-7836 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 18284603
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Cell Adhesion Molecules
- RNA, Messenger
- Urotensins
- Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
- Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
- Thromboplastin
- urotensin II
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Topics |
- Cardiovascular Diseases
(etiology)
- Cell Adhesion
- Cell Adhesion Molecules
(genetics)
- Coronary Vessels
(cytology)
- Endothelial Cells
(metabolism)
- Endothelium, Vascular
(cytology, metabolism)
- Gene Expression Regulation
(drug effects)
- Humans
- Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
(genetics)
- Leukocytes
(cytology)
- RNA, Messenger
(biosynthesis)
- Thromboplastin
(genetics)
- Urotensins
(pharmacology)
- Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
(genetics)
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