The effect of aortic coarctation on expression of endothelin-1 and endothelin receptors in heart and lungs.

Expression of prepro-endothelin-1 (ppET-1), and endothelin (ET) receptor subtype (ETA, ETB) mRNAs was studied in atria, ventricles, and lungs of aortic coarctated rats. During 8 weeks following aortic banding, rats developed ventricular hypertrophy. The levels of expression of ppET-1, ETA- and ETB-receptors were significantly lower in the ventricles of coarctated rats than in sham-operated animals. In atria, the level of expression of ppET-1, ETA and ETB-receptors was not significantly changed. These results indicate that production of ET-1 is decreased and ETA and ETB-receptors are down-regulated in hypertrophied ventricles 8 weeks after aortic coarctation. This may be a compensatory response to pressure overload.