Abnormal vascular function and hypertension in mice deficient in estrogen receptor β

Yan Zhu, Zhao Bian, Ping Lu, Richard H. Karas, Lin Bao, Daniel Cox, Jeffrey Hodgin, Philip W. Shaul, Peter Thorén, Oliver Smithies, Jan Åke Gustafsson, Michael E. Mendelsohn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

434 Scopus citations

Abstract

Blood vessels express estrogen receptors, but their role in cardiovascular physiology is not well understood. We show that vascular smooth muscle cells and blood vessels from estrogen receptor β (ERβ) - deficient mice exhibit multiple functional abnormalities. In wild-type mouse blood vessels, estrogen attenuates vasoconstriction by an ERβ-mediated increase in inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. In contrast, estrogen augments vasoconstriction in blood vessels from ERβ-deficient mice. Vascular smooth muscle cells isolated from ERβ-deficient mice show multiple abnormalities of ion channel function. Furthermore, ERβ-deficient mice develop sustained systolic and diastolic hypertension as they age. These data support an essential role for ERβ in the regulation of vascular function and blood pressure.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)505-508
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume295
Issue number5554
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 18 2002

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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