Modulation of endothelin receptor expression in human vascular smooth muscle cells by interleukin‐1β

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Abstract
Endothelin may play a role in atherosclerosis as it causes smooth muscle cell proliferation and its levels are elevated in patients with atherosclerosis. We report that interleukin‐1β is a potent inducer of endothelin receptor expression in cultured human vascular smooth muscle cells. The effect is dose‐ and time‐dependent and is due to an increase in receptor number. Endothelin receptor mRNA levels are also elevated. Interleukin‐1β is a major regulator of endothelin release so, together with its effects on endothelin receptors, it may be responsible for a generalized activation of the endothelin system in diseased vessels.