The selective endothelin ETA receptor antagonist BQ123 antagonizes endothelin-1-mediated mitogenesis.

The mitogenic effects of endothelin isopeptides and the selective ETA receptor antagonist BQ123 were evaluated in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) produced concentration-dependent increases in [3H]thymidine incorporation (EC50 = 0.1 and 25 nM, respectively). The ETB-selective agonist sarafotoxin 6c did not produce significant effects on [3H]thymidine incorporation. BQ123 produced selective and concentration-dependent inhibition of ET-1-mediated [3H]thymidine incorporation. These data demonstrate that ET-1-mediated mitogenesis in vascular smooth muscle is mediated by ETA receptors.