| Rho Kinase (ROK)-Related Proteins in Human Cavernous Arteries: An Immunohistochemical and Functional Approach. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 22375910 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
Introduction. Rho kinases (ROKs) cause calcium-independent modulation of smooth muscle contraction. A significant role for the RhoA/ROK pathway in mediating the contraction of the penile erectile tissue has been suggested. Moreover, it has been postulated that ROK activity might represent a key factor in the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction. Up until today, little is known on the significance of ROK and related proteins in the control of blood flow in the corpus cavernosum. Aim. To investigate by means of immunohistochemistry and organ bath studies the significance of the Rho pathway in human cavernous arteries. Main Outcome Measures. The expression of ROK1, ROK2, RhoA, and RhoGDI in human cavernous arteries was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry; myographic studies were conducted in order to characterize the effects of the ROK inhibitor Y27632 on isolated cavernous arteries. Methods. Specimens of human cavernous arteries were processed for immunohistochemistry for ROK1, ROK2, RhoA, and RhoGDI. Circular penile vascular segments were mounted in a tissue bath and the effects of increasing concentrations of the ROK inhibitor Y27632 on the tension induced by norepinephrine (NE, 1 µM) were investigated. Results. Alpha-actin immunoreactive cavernous arterioles also presented abundant staining specific for ROK1, ROK2, RhoA, and RhoGDI in the smooth musculature of the vascular wall. Cumulative addition of Y27632 dose-dependently reversed the tension induced by NE of isolated arterial segments. Y27632 produced relaxant responses with a reversion of tension of 34.3 ± 11.8% at a concentration of 1 µM. Conclusion. The findings are in support for a role of the Rho/ROK-mediated signaling in the regulation of muscle tone of human cavernous arteries. Waldkirch ES, Ückert S, Sohn M, Kuczyk MA, and Hedlund P. Rho kinase (Rok)-related proteins in human cavernous arteries: An immunohistochemical and functional approach. J Sex Med **;**:**-**. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Eginhard S Waldkirch; Stefan Uckert; Michael Sohn; Markus A Kuczyk; Petter Hedlund |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE Date: 2012-2-29 |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: The journal of sexual medicine Volume: - ISSN: 1743-6109 ISO Abbreviation: - Publication Date: 2012 Feb |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2012-3-1 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 101230693 Medline TA: J Sex Med Country: - |
Other Details:
|
Languages: ENG Pagination: - Citation Subset: - |
Copyright Information:
|
© 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine. |
Affiliation:
|
Hannover Medical School, Division of Surgery, Department of Urology & Urological Oncology, Hannover, Germany AGAPLESION Markus Hospital, Department of Urology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Lund University Hospital, Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Department of Clinical & Experimental Pharmacology, Lund, Sweden University Vita Salute San Raffaele, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Urology, Urological Research Institute (URI), Milan, Italy. |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
|
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Some General Considerations about the Clinicopathologic Aspects of Soft Tissue Tumors in Children an...
Next Document: Polyporous Metal-Coordination Frameworks.