Constriction of Retinal Venules to Endothelin-1: Obligatory Roles of ETA Receptors, Extracellular Calcium Entry, and Rho Kinase.

Purpose: Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide implicated in retinal venous pathologies such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. However, underlying mechanisms contributing to venular constriction remain unknown. Thus, we examined the roles of ET-1 receptors, extracellular calcium (Ca2+), L-type voltage-operated calcium channels (L-VOCCs), Rho kinase (ROCK), and protein kinase C (PKC) in ET-1-induced constriction of retinal venules.

Methods: Porcine retinal venules were isolated and pressurized for vasoreactivity study using videomicroscopic techniques. Protein and mRNA were analyzed using molecular tools.

Results: Retinal venules developed basal tone and constricted concentration-dependently to ET-1. The ETA receptor (ETAR) antagonist BQ123 abolished venular constriction to ET-1, but ETB receptor (ETBR) antagonist BQ788 had no effect on vasoconstriction. The ETBR agonist sarafotoxin S6c did not elicit vasomotor activity. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, venules lost basal tone and ET-1-induced constriction was nearly abolished. Although L-VOCC inhibitor nifedipine also reduced basal tone and blocked vasoconstriction to L-VOCC activator Bay K8644, constriction of venules to ET-1 remained. The ROCK inhibitor H-1152 but not PKC inhibitor Gö 6983 prevented ET-1-induced vasoconstriction. Protein and mRNA expressions of ETARs and ETBRs, along with ROCK1 and ROCK2 isoforms, were detected in retinal venules.

Conclusions: Extracellular Ca2+ entry via L-VOCCs is essential for developing and maintaining basal tone of porcine retinal venules. ET-1 causes significant constriction of retinal venules by activating ETARs and extracellular Ca2+ entry independent of L-VOCCs. Activation of ROCK signaling, without involvement of PKC, appears to mediate venular constriction to ET-1 in the porcine retina.