Urocortins (Ucns) are members of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family of peptides.Ucns would have potent effects on the cardiovascular system via the CRF receptor type 2 (CRF2 receptor).Regulation and roles of Dusters each Ucn have been determined in the vascular system.Ucns have more potent vasodilatory effects than CRF.
Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) express Ucns1-3 mRNAs, and the receptor, CRF2a receptor mRNA.Ucns1-3 mRNA levels are differentially regulated in HUVECs.Differential regulation of Ucns may suggest differential roles of those in HUVECs.Ucn1 and Ucn2 have strong Hockey Skates - Senior - Rec effects on interleukin (IL)-6 gene expression and secretion in rat aortic smooth muscle A7r5 cells.
The increase that we observed in IL-6 levels following Ucn treatment of A7r5 cells suggests that smooth muscle cells may be a source of IL-6 secretion under physiological stress conditions.Ucns are important and unique modulators of vascular smooth muscle cells and act directly or indirectly as autocrine and paracrine factors in the vascular system.