Selective up-regulation of 5-HT1B/1D receptors during organ culture of cerebral arteries

5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is thought to be involved in migraine headache and the pathophysiology of cerebrovascular diseases. Previous data show that organ culture induces a phenotypic change in cerebral vessels. Therefore we investigated if these changes also applied for the vasoconstrictive 5-HT receptors. Rat cerebral arteries express 5-HT2 receptors; Using organ culture we observed a phenotypic change with a selective up-regulation of 5-HT1B/1D receptors. This was revealed by an increased sensitivity to the selective 5-HT1B/1D agonist 5-CT after organ culture (pEC(50(fresh)) 5.6+/-0.2 and pEC(50(cultured)) 6.8+/-0.4). The response was inhibited by the 5-HT1B/1D selective antagonist GR55562 (pEC(50(fresh)) 5.1+/-0.2 and pEC(50(cultured)) 6.0+/-0.3). The organ model might mimic the phenotypic changes during cerebrovascular diseases. NeuroReport 12:1605-1608 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.