BACKGROUND: Large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels cause
hyperpolarization and can regulate vascular tone. In this study, we evaluated the effect of
endothelial BKCa activation on pulmonary vascular tone. METHODS: The presence of BKCa
channels in lung microvascular endothelial cells (LMVEC) and rat lung tissue was confirmed
by RT-PCR, immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Isolated pulmonary artery (PA)
rings and isolated ventilated-perfused rat lungs were used to assay the effects of BKCa …