Endothelin at low concentrations (0.1-10 nM) induced a 5.8-fold increase in mitogenesis in quiescent rat glomerular mesangial cells.
Effect estimate: 5.8-fold increase
p-value: p=<0.01
A recently described peptide hormone, endothelin, is a potent vasoconstrictor, but it is unclear whether endothelin has other biological actions. These experiments extend the range of biological actions of endothelin to stimulation of mitogenesis. Endothelin at low concentrations (0.1-10 nM) induced mitogenesis by quiescent rat glomerular mesangial cells in culture. Mitogenesis induced by endothelin was accompanied by activation of phospholipase C with increased inositol phosphate turnover and increments of intracellular Ca2+. Endothelin also activated Na+/H+ exchange, causing cytosolic alkalinization, and enhanced transcription of the c-fos protooncogene, additional biochemical signals closely linked to proliferation. In addition to being a vasoconstrictor, endothelin thus also functions as a mitogen, presumably through activation of phospholipase C.
Simonson et al. (Wed,) conducted a other in None (healthy rat mesangial cells). Endothelin vs. Vehicle/Control (0.5% FBS or 1.0% BSA) was evaluated on [3H]thymidine uptake (mitogenesis) (5.8-fold increase, p=<0.01). Endothelin at low concentrations (0.1-10 nM) induced a 5.8-fold increase in mitogenesis in quiescent rat glomerular mesangial cells.