Our studies show that PlGF-induced expression of the potent vasoconstrictor ET-1 and its cognate ET-BR receptor occur via activation of HIF-1 alpha, independent of hypoxia.
After exposure to hypoxia equal to post-transplant environment oxygen tension, mRNA levels of ET-1 and ETB-receptor of human islets were robustly induced whereas ETA-receptor mRNA did not show significant changes.