Ishihara T, Kato J, Kitamura K, Katoh F, Fujimoto S, Eto T
Production of adrenomedullin in human vascular endothelial cells
16th Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension
ISH Abstract Book (Jun) 16: 1996

This study investigates whether the vasodilator adrenomedullin (AM), besides the adrenal medulla, is also produced in human vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Immunoreactive (ir-) AM in extract of both cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and conditioned media was measured by radioimmunoassay, and ir-AM was analyzed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). AM mRNA expression in the ECs was analyzed by Northern blot analysis. In addition, the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on the production of AM was examined in these cells.

The cultured endothelial cells secreted ir-AM into the media and measurable intracellular levels were found. Dexamethasone (P < 0.05) augmented the secretion of ir-AM from the cells without an effect on the intracellular ir-AM level. An analysis of RP-HPLC showed that a large part of intracellular and secreted ir-AM eluted at the identical position to that of human AM. Northern blot analysis showed not only a presence of AM mRNA in the ECs but also an increased expression in the DEX-treated cells.

Thus, human endothelial cells of the umbilical vein produce adrenomedullin and dexamethasone stimulates the synthesis of this peptide. These findings suggest not only a role of adrenomedullin as a local modulator of the vascular tone but also a possibility of endothelial cells are an important source of circulating adrenomedullin (Carmine Zoccali, M.D, Reggio Calabria, Italy).

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16th Scientific Meeting of the International Society of Hypertension
H: Special problems : Endocrine hypertension
H: Pathophysiology : Endothelium, Nitric Oxide