Expression of @entity53001 , 40 and 43 in XXXX mesenteric arterioles and resistance arteries.

@entity35 @entity10277 @entity26794 @entity53001
Connexins are the protein constituents of gap junctions which mediate intercellular communication in most tissues. In arterioles gap junctions appear to be important for conduction of vasomotor responses along the vessel. Studies of the expression pattern of connexin isoforms in the microcirculation are sparse. We investigated the expression of the three major vascular connexins in mesenteric arterioles (diameter <50 micro m) from male @entity35 , since conducted vasomotor responses have been described in these vessels. The findings were compared with those obtained from upstream small resistance arteries. Indirect immunofluorescence techniques were used on whole mounts of mesenteric arterioles and on frozen sections of resistance arteries (diameter approximately 300 micro m). Mesenteric arterioles expressed @entity26794 and @entity10277 in the endothelial layer, and @entity53001 was found in most but not all vessels. Connexins were not demonstrated in the media. In resistance arteries endothelial cells expressed @entity53001 , @entity26794 and @entity10277 . Ultrastructural studies of mesenteric arterioles confirmed that gap junction plaques between endothelial cells are present, whereas myoendothelial, or smooth muscle cell gap junctions could not be demonstrated. The findings suggest that smooth muscle cells in mesenteric arterioles may not be well coupled and favour that conducted vasomotor responses in these vessels are propagated through the endothelial cell layer.
