Expression of TRPC homologs in endothelial cells and smooth muscle layers of human arteries

Histochem Cell Biol. 2004 Dec;122(6):553-61. doi: 10.1007/s00418-004-0720-y. Epub 2004 Nov 5.

Abstract

TRPC channels are a group of Ca(2+)-permeable nonselective cation channels that mediate store-operated and/or agonist-stimulated Ca(2+) influx in a variety of cell types. In this study, we extensively examined the expression patterns of TRPC homologs in human vascular tissues. RT-PCR amplified cDNA fragments of TRPC1 (505 bp), TRPC3 (372 bp), TRPC4 (499 bp), TRPC5 (325 bp), TRPC6 (509 bp), and TRPC7 (187 bp) from RNA isolated from cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells. In situ hybridization yielded strong labeling of TRPC1,3-6 in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells of human coronary and cerebral arteries. TRPC7 labeling was exclusively found in endothelial cells but not in smooth muscle cells. Results from immunohistochemical staining were consistent with those from in situ hybridization. Similar expression patterns of TRPC homologs were also observed in arterioles and vaso vasora. In conclusion, our study indicates that TRPC homologs are widely expressed in human vessels of all calibers, including medium-sized coronary arteries and cerebral arteries, smaller-sized resistance arteries, and vaso vasora. These results suggest a ubiquitous role of TRPC homologs in regulating blood supply to different regions and in controlling arterial blood pressure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Calcium Channels / biosynthesis
  • Cation Transport Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Cerebral Arteries / metabolism
  • Coronary Vessels / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Ion Channels / biosynthesis*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / metabolism*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • TRPC Cation Channels
  • TRPC6 Cation Channel
  • TRPM Cation Channels

Substances

  • Calcium Channels
  • Cation Transport Proteins
  • Ion Channels
  • Membrane Proteins
  • TRPC Cation Channels
  • TRPC3 cation channel
  • TRPC4 ion channel
  • TRPC5 protein, human
  • TRPC6 Cation Channel
  • TRPC6 protein, human
  • TRPC7 protein, human
  • TRPM Cation Channels
  • TRPM2 protein, human
  • transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily C, member 1