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Abstract T‐type voltage‐gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are comparatively understudied in large conduit artery function relative to the well‐characterized L‐type channel subtype. This study investigates the vascular roles of T‐type VGCCs in the aorta and renal artery of healthy rabbits using functional reactivity assays and immunofluorescence and further elucidates the interaction between T‐type VGCC activity and the nitric oxide (NO) signalling pathway. T‐type VGCCs contributed to contractile responses induced by phenylephrine and angiotensin II in both arteries. Moreover, in the renal artery, the contribution of T‐type VGCCs in response to phenylephrine increased in the absence of NO and was associated with endothelium‐dependent vasodilation. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed co‐localization of Ca V 3.1 with endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the renal artery, but not in the aorta, suggesting a vasodilatory role in renal circulation. These findings highlight vascular bed‐specific functions of T‐type VGCCs and their interaction with endothelial pathways in the renal artery.
Suárez et al. (Mon,) studied this question.