Open AccessFurther evidence for a role of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) in critical limb ischaemia
Author(s) -
Dashwood Michael Richard,
Tsui Janice C. S.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of cell communication and signaling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1873-961X
pISSN - 1873-9601
DOI - 10.1007/s12079-010-0109-8
Subject(s) - medicine , endothelin receptor , critical limb ischemia , amputation , receptor , ischemia , endothelin 1 , cardiology , popliteal artery , arteriosclerosis , vascular disease , pathology , surgery , arterial disease
Critical limb ischaemia (CLI), due to atherosclerotic arterial occlusion, affects over 20,000 people per year in the United Kingdom with many facing lower limb amputation and early death. A role for endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) in atherosclerosis is well‐established and increased circulating and tissue levels of this peptide have been detected in patients with CLI. ET‐1 and its receptors were identified in atherosclerotic popliteal arteries obtained from CLI patients undergoing lower limb amputation. In addition, plasma ET‐1 levels were compared with those of non‐ischaemic controls. ET‐1 was associated with regions of atherosclerotic plaque, particularly in regions with high macrophage content. This peptide was also associated with endothelial cells lining the main vessel lumen as well as adventitial microvessels. ET A and ET B receptors were located within regions of plaque, adventitial microvessels and perivascular nerves. There was a statistically significant increase ( P < 0.001) in plasma ET‐1 in CLI patients when compared with controls. These results reveal sources of ET‐1 in atherosclerotic popliteal arteries that potentially contribute to increased circulating levels of this peptide. Identification of variable receptor distributions in ischaemic tissue suggests a therapeutic potential of selective receptor targeting in patients with CLI.