Molecular Mechanisms of Various Diseases and Drugs Involved in Vascular Tone Regulation in Cardiovascular Disease
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 188
Special Issue Editor
Interests: anesthetics; vascular pharmacology; lipid emulsion; local anesthetic toxicity; calcium; nitric oxide; smooth muscle contraction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Vascular tone regulation is crucial for maintaining homeostasis. The contraction of vascular smooth muscle is controlled by calcium-dependent and calcium-sensitizing mechanisms. The calcium-dependent mechanism is mediated by calcium influx through voltage-operated and receptor-operated calcium channels or by calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, leading to myosin light chain (MLC20) phosphorylation. Additionally, calcium sensitization occurs through the inhibition of myosin light chain phosphatase via protein kinase C phosphorylation and Rho-kinase membrane translocation, resulting in MLC20 phosphorylation.Furthermore, vasodilation is induced by nitric oxide, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors, and prostaglandins, which activate cyclic guanosine monophosphate- and adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinases, stimulate potassium channels, and inhibit calcium influx. However, the pathophysiological mechanisms of various diseases, such as hypertension, involve the dysregulation of calcium sensitization, calcium-dependent contraction, nitric oxide release, and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors.Understanding the underlying mechanisms of vascular tone regulation and hemodynamic changes caused by various diseases and pharmacological agents—including antihypertensive drugs and vasopressors—is essential for advancing our knowledge of disease pathophysiology and drug effects. This Special Issue welcomes research related to vasoconstriction and vasodilation in the context of diseases and therapeutic compounds, including G protein-coupled receptor agonists.
Prof. Dr. Ju-Tae Sohn
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- vasoconstriction
- vasodilation
- calcium
- protein kinase C
- Rho-kinase
- hypertension
- nitric oxide
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