The intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1 contributes to atherogenesis in mice and humans.

ABSTRACT: Atherosclerosis remains a major cause of death in the developed world despite the success of therapies that lower cholesterol and BP. The intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel KCa3.1 is expressed in multiple cell types implicated in atherogenesis, and pharmacological blockade of this channel inhibits VSMC and lymphocyte activation in rats and mice. We found that coronary vessels from patients with coronary artery disease expressed elevated levels of KCa3.1. In Apoe(-/-) mice, a genetic model of atherosclerosis, KCa3.1 expression was elevated in the VSMCs, macrophages, and T lymphocytes that infiltrated atherosclerotic lesions. Selective pharmacological blockade and gene silencing of KCa3.1 suppressed proliferation, migration, and oxidative stress of human VSMCs. Furt

SUBMITTER: Toyama K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2496961 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature