Potassium channels diversity in human umbilical artery (HUA) smooth muscle cells. A review of their roles in HUA contraction.

MARTÍN, P; REBOLLEDO, A; ROLDÁN PALOMO, AR; MONCADA, M; PICCININI, L; MILESI, V

REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES

SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC

Lugar: Thousand Oaks, California.; Año: 2013 vol. 21 p. 432 - 441

1933-7191

The role of potassium (K+) channels in cell membrane potential regulation places them among the best known regulators of vascular tone. This article reviews the bibliographic reports regarding the expression and function of K+ channels in human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMC?s). We also present single-channel data recorded in freshly isolated HUASMC?s. Electrophysiological properties of BKCa and KV channels are established in this vessel. They are involved in contractile state regulation, showing that their role in the maintenance of membrane potential is an important cell control point to finally set up the vessel diameter. Moreover, SKCa, K2P and KIR channels appear to be present in HUASMC?s, while IKCa and KATP channels could not be identified. In both cases additional investigation is necessary to reach conclusive evidence of their expression and/or functional role in HUA. Finally, we discuss the role K+ channels in pregnancy-related pathologies like gestational diabetes or preeclampsia.