MODULATION OF ENDOTHELIN RECEPTOR EXPRESSION IN HUMAN VASCULAR SMOOTH-MUSCLE CELLS BY INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA

Endothelin may play a role in atherosclerosis as it causes smooth musc le cell proliferation and its levels are elevated in patients with ath erosclerosis. We report that interleukin-lp is a potent inducer of end othelin receptor expression in cultured human vascular smooth muscle c ells. The effect is dose- and time-dependent and is due to an increase in receptor number. Endothelin receptor mRNA levels are also elevated . Interleukin-1 beta is a major regulator of endothelin release so, to gether with its effects on endothelin receptors, it may be responsible for a generalized activation of the endothelin system in diseased ves sels.