Life Sciences Commons^™

Analysis Of The Vascular Phenotype Of The Ent1-Null Mouse, Keisha A. Best

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Adenosine is important in the regulation of vascular tone and the Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter 1 (ENT1) is a regulator of adenosine concentrations. Thus, changes in ENT1 expression and activity may alter vascular tone regulation. We therefore examined the cardiovascular phenotype of ENT1-null (ENT1^-/-) as compared to wild type mice (ENT1^+/+). Heart rates (HRs) and blood pressures (BPs) of ENT1^-/- and ENT1^+/+ littermate male mice were obtained while conscious and anaesthetized, and metabolic data were collected over a 24 hr period. Vascular reactivity was assessed in aortic ring segments obtained from 3 month old ENT1 …

Ectopic Mineralization Of Spinal Tissues In Mice Lacking Equilibrative Nucleoside Transporter 1, Sumeeta Warraich

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) regulates the bi-directional transfer of hydrophilic nucleosides, such as adenosine, across the plasma membrane. Mice lacking ENT1 developed calcified lesions resembling diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in humans. By 12 months of age, ENT1^-/- mice exhibit spine stiffness, hind limb dysfunction, and paralysis. Histological examination of ENT1^-/- mice revealed irregular accumulations of eosinophilic material in paraspinal ligaments and entheses, intervertebral discs, and sternocostal articulations. There was no evidence of mineralization in appendicular joints or blood vessels. Analysis of intervertebral disc tissues of 6 month old ENT1^-/- and wild-type mice revealed reduced expression …

Purine Transport And Metabolism In Microvascular Endothelial Cells, Derek B J Bone

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The microvascular endothelium serves as the barrier between the blood and perfused tissues. Proper function of the endothelium is dependent on the ability of the endothelial cells to produce nitric oxide and form tight junctions between themselves. Dysfunction occurs when stresses overwhelm the endothelial cell, with oxidative stress being a leading cause. Intracellular metabolism of purine nucleosides and nucleobases has been implicated in the production of oxidative stress. Nucleosides (e.g. adenosine) and nucleobases (e.g. hypoxanthine) are moved across cell membranes by a specialized family of proteins called equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENTs).

We characterized primary human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) …