Endothelin: systemic arterial and pulmonary effects of a new peptide with potent biologic properties

Endothelial cells produce the 21-amino acid peptide endothelin, which is formed from its precursor, big endothelin, via the activity of converting enzyme. The basal production of the peptide is stimulated by epinephrine, angiotensin II, arginine vasopressin, transforming growth factor beta, thrombin, interleukin-1, and hypoxia. In vascular smooth muscle, endothelin binds to a specific receptor (ETA-subtype), which activates phospholipase C, leads to the formation of inositol trisphosphate, diacylglycerol (which activates protein kinase C), and increased intracellular Ca2+. In certain blood vessels, the endothelin receptor on vascular smooth muscle is linked to a voltage-operated Ca2+ channel via a G-protein. This explains why Ca2+ antagonists inhibit endothelin-induced contractions in certain, but not all, blood vessels. In the human forearm circulation, Ca2+ antagonists do prevent endothelin-induced contractions and unmask endothelin-induced vasodilation mediated by endothelial prostacyclin production (via the ETB-receptor). The pulmonary circulation plays an important role in the metabolism of endothelin, as the lungs take up large quantities of the peptide during passage. Endothelin has profound vasoconstrictor effects in the pulmonary circulation (and also in bronchial tissue), and its production is augmented in pulmonary hypertension. In systemic hypertension, the circulating endothelin levels appear to be normal. In atherosclerosis and other forms of vascular disease, circulating endothelin levels are increased. Thus, endothelin is a potent mediator in the systemic and pulmonary circulation and, in particular, in diseases of the vasculature.