Key result
Advanced atherosclerotic plaques show ~62% lower endothelin A receptor expression than healthy arteries.
Why the study?
Endothelin-1 levels are altered in atherosclerosis, but the roles of endothelin receptors ETAR and ETBR during atherogenesis remain unclear.
Does advanced atherosclerosis and associated risk factors alter the expression of endothelin receptors in human arteries compared to healthy controls?
Cross-Sectional (n=98)
No
Does advanced atherosclerosis and associated risk factors alter the expression of endothelin receptors in human arteries compared to healthy controls?
The significant reduction in endothelin receptor expression in advanced atherosclerotic plaques, which further correlates with hypertension, highlights complex molecular changes during disease progression and suggests that targeting these receptors might be more effective in early rather than advanced stages of atherosclerosis.
May limit endothelin antagonist efficacy in advanced plaques; leaves open stage-specific targeting in early atherosclerosis.
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels are altered in atherosclerosis, while the roles of the endothelin receptors ETAR and ETBR during the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis remain unclear. Therefore, the focus of this study was to clarify how endothelin receptors are expressed in advanced human atherosclerotic plaques and how this is related to atherosclerotic risk factors. Ex vivo expression analysis was performed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) of 98 atherosclerotic plaques and controls that were obtained from adult patients undergoing vascular surgery. Correlation analyses of atherosclerosis-promoting factors were accomplished using a linear regression model. We found an overall reduced expression of ET receptors and smooth muscle actin (SMA), a marker of healthy vascular smooth muscle cells, in atherosclerotic plaques, whereas the levels of ET-1 and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), a marker of atherosclerosis progression, remained unchanged. Reduced expression was predominantly correlated with hypertension, which affects both receptors as well as SMA. Age, body mass index (BMI) and gender also correlated with either ETAR, ETBR or SMA expression in advanced plaques. In contrast, no effect of diabetes mellitus or smoking was found, indicating an ancillary effect of those risk factors. The results of our study indicate that endothelin receptor expression during the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is predominantly correlated with hypertension.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Herbers et al. (2025) conducted a cross-sectional in Advanced Atherosclerosis (n=98). Advanced atherosclerosis vs. Healthy arteries was evaluated on Expression of endothelin A receptor (ETA-R) via qRT-PCR (0.377-fold, 95% CI 0.281-0.393, p=<0.001). Expression of endothelin receptors (ETA-R and ETB-R) and smooth muscle actin (SMA) was significantly reduced in advanced human atherosclerotic plaques compared to healthy arteries.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: