Guerra G, Lucariello A, Perna A, Botta L, De Luca A, Moccia F. The Role of Endothelial Ca
2+ Signaling in Neurovascular Coupling: A View from the Lumen.
Int J Mol Sci 2018;
19:E938. [PMID:
29561829 PMCID:
PMC5979341 DOI:
10.3390/ijms19040938]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is the mechanism whereby an increase in neuronal activity (NA) leads to local elevation in cerebral blood flow (CBF) to match the metabolic requirements of firing neurons. Following synaptic activity, an increase in neuronal and/or astrocyte Ca2+ concentration leads to the synthesis of multiple vasoactive messengers. Curiously, the role of endothelial Ca2+ signaling in NVC has been rather neglected, although endothelial cells are known to control the vascular tone in a Ca2+-dependent manner throughout peripheral vasculature.
METHODS
We analyzed the literature in search of the most recent updates on the potential role of endothelial Ca2+ signaling in NVC.
RESULTS
We found that several neurotransmitters (i.e., glutamate and acetylcholine) and neuromodulators (e.g., ATP) can induce dilation of cerebral vessels by inducing an increase in endothelial Ca2+ concentration. This, in turn, results in nitric oxide or prostaglandin E2 release or activate intermediate and small-conductance Ca2+-activated K⁺ channels, which are responsible for endothelial-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH). In addition, brain endothelial cells express multiple transient receptor potential (TRP) channels (i.e., TRPC3, TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPA1), which induce vasodilation by activating EDH.
CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to conclude that endothelial Ca2+ signaling is an emerging pathway in the control of NVC.
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