Erythrocytes: Oxygen Sensors and Modulators of Vascular Tone

Erythrocytes: oxygen sensors and modulators of vascular tone.

Through oxygen-dependent release of the vasodilator ATP, the mobile erythrocyte plays a fundamental role in matching microvascular oxygen supply with local tissue oxygen demand. Signal transduction within the erythrocyte and microvessels as well as feedback mechanisms controlling ATP release have been described. Our understanding of the impact of this novel control mechanism will rely on the in...

Erythrocytes and Vascular Function: Oxygen and Nitric Oxide

Erythrocytes regulate vascular function through the modulation of oxygen delivery and the scavenging and generation of nitric oxide (NO). First, hemoglobin inside the red blood cell binds oxygen in the lungs and delivers it to tissues throughout the body in an allosterically regulated process, modulated by oxygen, carbon dioxide and proton concentrations. The vasculature responds to low oxygen ...

Evidence for direct control of coronary vascular tone by oxygen.

Reactive oxygen species: influence on cerebral vascular tone.

Reactive oxygen species have multiple effects on vascular cells. Defining the sources and the impact of the various reactive oxygen species within the vessel wall has emerged as a major area of study in vascular biology. This review will focus on recent findings related to effects of reactive oxygen species on cerebral vascular tone. Effects of superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, and the rea...

Interactions among Vascular-Tone Modulators Contribute to High Altitude Pulmonary Edema and Augmented Vasoreactivity in Highlanders

BACKGROUND The interactions among various biomarkers remained unexplored under the stressful environment of high-altitude. Present study evaluated interactions among biomarkers to study susceptibility for high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) in HAPE-patients (HAPE-p) and adaptation in highland natives (HLs); both in comparison to HAPE-free sojourners (HAPE-f). METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS A...