Is endothelin converting enzyme located on alpha-actin filaments in smooth muscle cells?
The 120 kDa endothelin converting enzyme co-localizes with alpha-actin in smooth muscle cells and resembles that found in endothelial cells in that it is present on both the plasma membrane and intracellularly.
The absence of functional TLR-4 attenuated neuronal injury and microglial activation after thoracic aortic occlusion in mice. Furthermore, microglial upregulation of TLR-4 occurred after oxygen and glucose deprivation, and the absence of functional TLR-4 significantly attenuated the production of proinflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, TLR-4-mediated microglia activation in the spinal cord after aortic occlusion is critical in the mechanism of paraplegia after aortic cross-clamping and may provide targets for pharmacological intervention.