Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 67, Issue 3 1265-1270, Copyright © 1989 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Calcitonin gene-related peptide vasodilation of human pulmonary vessels

D. G. McCormack, J. C. Mak, M. O. Coupe and P. J. Barnes
Department of Thoracic Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, United Kingdom.

Human calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is localized to sensory neurons in pulmonary vessels and is a potent vasodilator. We have characterized the effects of CGRP in human pulmonary vessels and localized the receptors for this peptide by autoradiography. Fresh human lung tissue was obtained from eight patients undergoing surgery and small (200-400 microns ID) pulmonary arteries and veins were dissected free of surrounding connective and pulmonary tissue. Pairs of vessels were studied and in one of each pair the endothelium was left intact and from the other of each pair the endothelium was removed by gentle abrasion. For functional studies arteries (n = 9) and veins (n = 9) were suspended in an organ bath, precontracted with 1 microM prostaglandin F2 alpha. CGRP (10 pM to 10 microM) was added in a cumulative manner. CGRP caused a dose-dependent relaxation of endothelium intact human pulmonary arteries and veins with log EC50 values of -8.01 +/- 0.35 and -8.70 +/- 0.40, respectively (not significant). Removal of the endothelium did not diminish the vasodilator potency of CGRP in either vessel. For autoradiographic studies, cryostat sections of the small human pulmonary vessels with or without endothelium were used. 125I-CGRP densely labeled CGRP receptors on vascular smooth muscle and endothelial removal did not have any effect on grain density. We concluded that CGRP is a potent vasodilator of human pulmonary arteries and veins that is not dependent on an intact endothelium. These functional studies correlate with the distribution of CGRP receptors as localized by autoradiography.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y.-L. Dong, S. Vegiraju, M. Chauhan, P. R. R. Gangula, G. D. V. Hankins, L. Goodrum, and C. Yallampalli Involvement of calcitonin gene-related peptide in control of human fetoplacental vascular tone Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 2004; 286(1): H230 - H239. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Aoki-Nagase, T. Nagase, Y. Oh-hashi, T. Shindo, Y. Kurihara, Y. Yamaguchi, H. Yamamoto, T. Tomita, E. Ohga, R. Nagai, et al. Attenuation of antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in CGRP-deficient mice Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, November 1, 2002; 283(5): L963 - L970. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. M. Keith, S. Tjen-A-Looi, H. Kraiczi, and R. Ekman Three-week neonatal hypoxia reduces blood CGRP and causes persistent pulmonary hypertension in rats Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, October 1, 2000; 279(4): H1571 - H1578. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. J. Barnes, K. F. Chung, and C. P. Page Inflammatory Mediators of Asthma: An Update Pharmacol. Rev., December 1, 1998; 50(4): 515 - 596. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. E. Marshall, L. Chen, H. F. Frasch, C. W. Hanson, and C. Marshall Improved oxygenation with prostaglandin F2alpha with and without inhaled nitric oxide in dogs J Appl Physiol, April 1, 1998; 84(4): 1350 - 1358. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. De Vroomen, Y. Takahashi, C. Roman, and M. A. Heymann Calcitonin gene-related peptide increases pulmonary blood flow in fetal sheep Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 1998; 274(1): H277 - H282. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Mukhopadhyay, B. M. Chapnick, and A. C. Howlett Anandamide-induced vasorelaxation in rabbit aortic rings has two components: G protein dependent and independent Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2002; 282(6): H2046 - H2054. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]