Do heterotypic smooth muscle cell/endothelial cell interactions differ between species?
Since significant differences in cell-material interactions occur in vivo between species, the finding that in vitro heterotypic cell-cell interactions are species dependent is not surprising. This fundamental difference in cell behavior stresses the potential importance of using human cells in studies evaluating cell-cell and cell-material interactions in vitro.
These data reveal a previously unrecognized action of the TRPM4 inhibitor 9-phenanthrol - the ability to act as an activator of EC KCa 3.1 channels. They do not indicate a functionally important role for TRPM4 channels in the reactivity of non-myogenic mesenteric arteries.