Human endothelin ETA receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides inhibit endothelin-1 evoked vasoconstriction

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to endothelin ETA receptor mRNA were used to characterize vascular smooth muscle receptors. The concentration-response curve showed a significant attenuation of endothelin-1-induced contraction in circular segments of the human superficial temporal artery. Endothelin ETB receptor antisense or mismatch oligodeoxynucleotides showed no alteration of the endothelin-1-induced contraction. Complementary experiments with the selective endothelin ETA receptor antagonist FR139317 demonstrated a shift of the concentration-response curve to the right in a competitive manner (pA2 = 6.93). The specific method of using the receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides approach revealed the presence of endothelin ETA receptors mediating contraction in the human superficial temporal artery.