Role of age, Rho-kinase 2 expression, and G protein-mediated signaling in the myogenic response in mouse small mesenteric arteries

Abstract

The myogenic response (MR) and myogenic tone (MT) in resistance vessels is crucial for maintaining peripheral vascular resistance and blood flow autoregulation. Development of MT involves G protein-coupled receptors, and may be affected by aging. AIMS: activation to MT development; (3) to investigate the role of Rho-kinase 2 and aging on MT in mesenteric resistance arteries. METHODS: we used pressure myography, quantitative real-time PCR, and immunolocalization to study small (<200 μm) mesenteric arteries (SMA) from young, mature adult, and middle aged mice. RESULTS: channel activator BayK 8644. KD025 reversibly inhibited MT and endothelin-1 vasoconstriction in small pial arteries from Göttingen minipigs. CONCLUSIONS: sensitization. Increased MT at mature adulthood can be explained by increased ROCK2 expression/activity.