Adrenomedullin-RAMP2 system in vascular endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial cells play key roles in maintaining vascular and organ homeostasis. adrenomedullin (am),originally identified as a vasodilating peptide,is now recognized to be a pleiotropic molecule involved in both circulatory homeostasis and the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. we have reported that knockout mice deficient in am or receptor activity-modifying protein 2 (ramp2),an am-receptor accessory protein,show vascular endothelial cell deformities that are embryonically lethal. to directly clarify the pathophysiological functions of the vascular am-ramp2 system,we generated vascular endothelial cell-specific ramp2 knockout mice. using these mice,we found that the am-ramp2 system is a key determinant of vascular integrity and homeostasis from prenatal stages through adulthood. this review highlights the functions of am-ramp2 in vascular endothelial cells. © 2015,japan atherosclerosis society. all rights reserved.