Distinct endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors emerge in vitro and in vivo and are mediated in part via connexin 40-dependent myoendothelial coupling.

The endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) contributes critically to the regulation of vascular tone. Its dependency on direct signaling through myoendothelial gap junctions composed of connexins (Cx) is controversially discussed. We studied the impact of Cx40 in EDHF-type dilations in vivo and in vitro (wire and pressure myography) in small arteries (A.

Semiautomatic quantification of angiogenesis.

Background: Angiogenesis is of major interest in developmental biology and cancer research. Different experimental approaches are available to study angiogenesis that have in common the need for microscopy, image acquisition, and analysis. Problems that are encountered hereby are the size of the structures, which requires generation of composite images and difficulties in quantifying angiogenic activity reliably and rapidly.

Signaling across myoendothelial gap junctions--fact or fiction?

Gap junctions interconnect vascular cells homocellularly, thereby allowing the spread of signals along the vessel wall, which serve to coordinate vessel behavior. In addition, gap junctions provide heterocellular coupling between endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells, creating so-called myoendothelial gap junctions (MEGJs). Endothelial cells control vascular tone by the release of factors that relax vascular smooth muscle.

Gap junctions synchronize vascular tone within the microcirculation.

Gap junctions are formed in the cardiovascular system by connexin40 (Cx40), Cx37, Cx43, and Cx45. These low resistance channels allow the transfer of ions and small molecules between cells. The longitudinal coupling of endothelial and smooth muscle cells via gap junctions allows the spread of changes in membrane potential along the vascular wall and hence provides conduction pathways within the vessel itself.