Expression and role of the calcium-sensing receptor in the blood vessel wall.

The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), which is involved in systemic calcium homeostasis, has also been found to be functionally expressed on cells of the vascular wall. Its activation on perivascular nerves and endothelial cells has been shown to regulate arterial tone, peripheral vascular resistance and possibly local tissue perfusion. The expression of the CaSR on immune cells involved in vascular inflammation, such as macrophages, and its increased expression in inflammation indicates the central role extracellular calcium plays in vascular inflammation and repair. Further detailed analysis will clarify the role the vascular CaSR plays as a therapeutic target for complex disease conditions such as hypertension, tissue hypoperfusion, atherosclerosis and vascular calcification.