Involvement of the Endothelins in Airway Reactivity and Disease

摘要: In 1988, a previously uncharacterized endothelium-derived contractile factor was isolated, purified and identified as novel 21 amino acid sequence named endothelin-1 (ET-1) (Yanagisawa et al. 1988; Inoue 1989). Some of the pharmacological activity ET-1 also reported in these studies, although there soon followed an avalanche published research data from other laboratories describing biology this peptide great detail several mammalian systems, with particular emphasis on its spasmogenic actions vascular tissues. addition however, potent effects airway smooth muscle were 1988 again 1989 (Turner 1989; Uchida 1988), predictably, rapidly by evidence for high densities ET receptors Power Autoradiographic analyses human animal tissues established presence significant numbers such wall cell types to (Henry 1990; Goldie 1995). Taken together, information constituted reasonable basis speculating that might be associated obstructive diseases asthma (Hay 1993a, 1996; 1996c), well pulmonary hypertension (Allen 1993; Stelzner 1992; Stewart 1991; Folkerts 1998).