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Myogenic properties of brain and cardiac vessels and their relation to disease

Ashley S Izzard, Anthony M Heagerty1

  • 1Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, Core Technology Facility (3rd Floor), University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9NT, UK. aizzard@manchester.ac.uk.

Current Vascular Pharmacology
|September 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Arterial myogenic function, crucial for blood pressure regulation, relies on calcium influx and Rho kinase pathways. Impaired myogenic responses in cerebral arteries may stem from extracellular matrix issues, affecting autoregulation.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Physiology
  • Cardiovascular Research

Background:

  • Intrinsic arterial myogenic function regulates vascular tone and pressure response.
  • Myogenic tone development (40-60 mmHg) involves calcium (Ca2+) influx via voltage-dependent channels.
  • Myogenic responses (60-140 mmHg) predominantly involve Rho kinase (ROK)-mediated Ca2+ sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the mechanisms of myogenic tone and response in cerebral and coronary circulations.
  • To investigate the role of ROK and extracellular matrix in cerebral myogenic dysfunction.
  • To clarify the determinants of coronary artery myogenic tone.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of myogenic tone and response mechanisms in arterial smooth muscle.
  • Investigation of calcium signaling and ROK pathways.
  • Examination of extracellular matrix contributions to mechanotransduction.

Main Results:

  • Cerebral myogenic responses depend on ROK-mediated Ca2+ sensitivity, with potential impairment from extracellular matrix abnormalities.
  • Coronary artery myogenic tone involves both Ca2+ channels and protein kinase C (PKC).
  • Impaired coronary myogenic tone is observed in disease models, though implications are unclear.

Conclusions:

  • Defective mechanotransduction in cerebral arteries, possibly due to extracellular matrix issues, can impair myogenic responses and cerebral autoregulation.
  • Coronary myogenic tone mechanisms differ, involving Ca2+ channels and PKC.
  • Further research is needed to understand the clinical significance of impaired coronary myogenic tone.

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