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Updated: May 14, 2026

Ex Vivo Pressurized Hippocampal Capillary-Parenchymal Arteriole Preparation for Functional Study
Published on: December 18, 2019
Prostaglandin E2, a postulated astrocyte-derived neurovascular coupling agent, constricts rather than dilates
Fabrice Dabertrand1, Rachael M Hannah, Jessica M Pearson
1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405-0068, USA.
Abstract:
It has been proposed that prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) is released from astrocytic endfeet to dilate parenchymal arterioles through activation of prostanoid (EP(4)) receptors during neurovascular coupling. However, the direct effects of PGE(2) on isolated parenchymal arterioles have not been tested. Here, we examined the effects of PGE(2) on the diameter of isolated pressurized parenchymal arterioles from rat and mouse brain. Contrary to the prevailing assumption, we found that PGE(2) (0.1, 1, and 5 μmol/L) constricted rather than dilated parenchymal arterioles. Vasoconstriction to PGE(2) was prevented by inhibitors of EP(1) receptors. These results strongly argue against a direct role of PGE(2) on arterioles during neurovascular coupling.
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