Mouse Renal Artery Endothelial Cells

Mouse Renal Artery Endothelial Cells (MRAECs) line the luminal surface of the renal artery. This endothelium is made up of a specialized layer of squamous epithelial cells that line the vascular cavity. They serve many more purposes than just lining blood vessels, however. They can actively regulate vascular tone, permeability, and renal blood flow. Endothelial cells are involved in sensing blood flow and vessel stretching and they help to regulate systemic blood pressure and pressures within the kidney.

Endothelial cells release vasodilators and vasoconstrictors to regulate smooth muscle tone. Nitric Oxide (NO) produced by endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) is an important endothelial cell produced vasodilator. Mouse renal artery endothelial cells also produce vasoconstrictors such as endothelin-1 and prostaglandins. The release of these molecules maintains homeostasis by preventing excess vasoconstriction of the renal blood vessels. Endothelial cells maintain homeostasis of other mechanisms as well. Mouse renal artery endothelial cells can control coagulation within the vessel lumen. In addition, endothelial cells help regulate leukocyte binding to the endothelial layer by expressing molecules such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 during inflammation. An example of when things go wrong in the endothelium is endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction can lead to many severe diseases.

Mouse renal artery endothelial cells are often used in cardiovascular and urological research models. These models include Renovascular Hypertension, Atherosclerosis, and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Since the renal artery supplies oxygenated blood to the nephrons, anything that damages the endothelial cells can cause ischemia and kidney fibrosis downstream.