LEUKOTRIENE RECEPTORS ON HUMAN PULMONARY VASCULAR ENDOTHELIUM

1. Cysteinyl-leukotrienes cause contractions and/or relaxations of human isolated pulmonary vascular preparations. Although, the localization and nature of the receptors through which these effects are mediated have not been fully characterized, some effects are indirect and not mediated via the well-described LT1 receptor. 2. In human pulmonary veins (HPV) with an intact endothelium, leukotriene D4 (LTD4) induced contraction above basal tone. This response was observed at lower concentrations of LTD4 in the presence of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N omega-nitro-L-arginine (L-NOARG). Contractions (in the absence and presence of L-NOARG) were partially blocked by the LT1 antagonists (MK 5…