Endothelial cells line all blood vessels and regulate the contractility of smooth muscle cells to tune regional organ blood flow and systemic pressure. Chloride (Cl–) is the most abundant anion in endothelial cells, yet the molecular identities and physiological functions of Cl‑ channels in endothelial cells are poorly understood. I will describe our recent work where we generated tamoxifen-inducible, endothelial cell-specific TMEM16A channel knockout mice to investigate signaling mechanisms and physiological functions of this Cl‑ channel in this cell type. Our data indicate that TMEM16A channels generate Ca2+-activated Cl‑ currents in endothelial cells. Vasodilators stimulate TMEM16A channels in endothelial cells, leading to arterial hyperpolarization, vasodilation, and a reduction in blood pressure. I will also provide evidence that TMEM16A channel activation reduces intracellular Cl– concentration, which stimulates With-No-Lysine (WNK), a Cl‑-sensitive kinase, in endothelial cells. WNK kinase signaling then activates transient receptor potential V4 channels in endothelial cells to induce vasodilation.
Command and Control: Unveiling the Regulation of Smooth Muscle Function (Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland) (2024) Proc Physiol Soc 58, SA01
Research Symposium: Blood pressure regulation by endothelial cell TMEM16A channels
Jonathan Jaggar1,
1University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis United States,
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Where applicable, experiments conform with Society ethical requirements.