In a recent issue of Clinical Science, Stanhewicz et al. investigated persistent microvascular dysfunction in women up to 16 months postpartum. The authors found sensitivity to the pressor effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) was enhanced when compared with women who had a normotensive pregnancy. Importantly, the authors demonstrated that this effect was mediated via the endothelin type B (ETB) receptors. Therefore, the present study highlights the possibility that alterations in the localization of the ETB receptor contributes to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Currently, there is great interest in the role of the endothelin system in pre-eclampsia. Targetting the endothelin system, potentially by modulating upstream pathways to prevent ETB receptor dysfunction, may improve health outcomes for women and their offspring during pre-eclampsia and later life.

doi.org/10.1042/CS20171366, hdl.handle.net/1765/112852
Clinical Science
Department of Internal Medicine

Colafella, K.M.M. (Katrina M. Mirabito). (2018). Endothelin type B (ETB) receptors: Friend or foe in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk?. Clinical Science (Vol. 132, pp. 33–36). doi:10.1042/CS20171366