Developmental changes in alpha 1-adrenergic receptors, IP3 responses, and NE-induced contraction in cerebral arteries

Cerebral arteries show significant developmental and artery-specific changes in noradrenergic-mediated contraction. To test the hypothesis that these changes result from differences in the density of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors (alpha 1-ARs) and/or norepinephrine (NE)-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P3,IP3] synthesis, we quantified these variables and the NE-induced contraction in the common carotid artery (Com) and main branch cerebral arteries (MBC) from term fetal (approximately 140 gestational day) and newborn (2- to 5-day) sheep and compared them with adult values. In fetal and newborn Com, maximal contractions to NE (percent K+ maximum response) were 132 +/- 14 and 118 +/- 9%, respectively (adult = 92 +/- 7%). For fetal and newborn middle cerebral artery, these values were 34 +/- 10 and 43 +/- 7%, respectively (adult = 24 +/- 7%). alpha 1-AR density values in Com of fetal and newborn sheep were 113 +/- 18 and 106 +/- 4 fmol/mg protein, respectively (adult = 54 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein). For the MBC, density values were 47 +/- 2 and 24 +/- 3 fmol/mg protein, respectively (adult = 23 +/- 3 fmol/protein). In term fetal and newborn MBC, NE produced dose-dependent increases in Ins(1,4,5)P3, the maximal increases above basal values being 245 +/- 40 and 189 +/- 16%, respectively (adult = 254 +/- 35%). Neither fetus nor newborn Com showed significant Ins(1,4,5)P3 responses to NE. We concluded that in fetal and newborn Com and MBC, alpha 1-AR density and NE-induced Ins(1,4,5)P3 response varied as a function of developmental age and specific vessel. However, these variations did not correlate with NE-induced maximum contraction. Thus we reject the hypothesis that age-dependent and vessel-specific differences of cerebral artery adrenergic-mediated contraction are a function of alpha 1-AR density or Ins(1,4,5)P3 response. Rather, the differences would appear to result from other factors such as non-Ins(1,4,5)P3-mediated calcium activation and/or sensitivity to Ins(1,4,5)P3. The studies also suggest considerable potential for maturational modulation of pharmacomechanical coupling and homeostatic regulation of cerebrovascular tone.