Localization of Immunoreactive Endothelin and Characterization of its Receptors in Aortic Cusps
Martin Misfeld, Karen Morrison, Hans-H. Sievers, Magdi H. Yacoub, Adrian H Chester

Endothelin (ET) can contract aortic valve cusp tissue. An attempt was made to characterize the receptors that mediate this response, and to localize ET in the aortic valve cusps. ET-mediated contraction occurs via by both ETA and ETB receptor subtypes. Immunoreactive ET is present in endothelial cells on both sides of the aortic cusps. The physiological and/or pathophysiological role for ET and its receptors require further investigation.