Regulation of vascular tone and wall tension in retinal arteries
BMC Seminar Thursday 24th of February at 12:00 on Zoom.
Speaker: Thor Eysteinsson, Professor of Physiology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland; Head of the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland; Clinical electrophysiologist, Department of Ophthalmology, Landspitali National University Hospital.
Title: Regulation of vascular tone and wall tension in retinal arteries
Abstract: The retinal vasculature provides the retina with the needed oxygen and energy to ensure normal function of the photoreceptors, rods and cones, and regulation of this vasculature, which is not innervated by the autonomic nervous system, is primarily via local factors affecting vascular tone and wall tension in the vessel walls. In this project the aim is to examine basic physiological processes involved in regulating the vessel diameter and vascular tone in retinal arteries, using a small vessel myography system which allows for experimentation on isolated vessels.The primary focus has been on the role of the enzyme carbonic anhydrase in regulating vascular tone in retinal arteries, and the mechanisms through which it exerts its effects on their vessel diameter, and which isoforms of the enzyme play a role in regulation of wall tension. In addition, the putative regulatory role of specific hormones and transmitters released from the retina, implicated in neurovascular coupling, in the control of vascular tone and wall tension has been examined, and two examples will be provided.