Ca²⁺Release From Intracellular Stores Is an Initial Step in Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction of Rat Pulmonary Artery Resistance Vessels

Abstract

In rat pulmonary artery resistance vessels, an initial event in HPV is a release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. This rise in [Ca2+]i causes inhibition of voltage-dependent K+ channels (possibly Kv1.5), membrane depolarization, and an increase in pulmonary artery tone.