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Updated: Aug 7, 2026
08:06
Isolation of Human Umbilical Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells (HUASMC)
Published on: July 3, 2010
Human vascular smooth muscle cells express a urate transporter
Karen L Price1, Yuri Y Sautin, David A Long
1Division of Nephrology, Hypertension, and Transplantation, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA. regnkpr@ucl.ac.uk
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN
|June 16, 2006
Summary
High uric acid levels are linked to hypertension and kidney disease. Researchers found the URAT1 transporter in human aortic smooth muscle cells, suggesting a new role for uric acid in cardiovascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Renal Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Elevated serum uric acid is a known risk factor for hypertension and renal disease.
- Renal urate excretion is primarily regulated by the URAT1 (SLC22A12) transporter.
- The role of URAT1 in vascular smooth muscle cells is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of URAT1 in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells.
- To determine if URAT1 plays a role in uric acid uptake by these cells.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) was used to assess URAT1 gene expression.
- Western blot analysis confirmed URAT1 protein expression.
- Functional assays measured 14C-urate uptake in the presence of probenecid.
Main Results:
- URAT1 was specifically expressed in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells.
- URAT1 was localized to the cell membrane.
- 14C-urate uptake was significantly inhibited by probenecid, confirming transporter function.
Conclusions:
- URAT1 is present and functional in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells.
- This transporter may mediate uric acid entry into vascular smooth muscle cells.
- The findings suggest a potential mechanism linking uric acid to cardiovascular disease.
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