Calcium and TRP channels in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Ca(2+) is a major trigger for pulmonary vasoconstriction and a stimulus for pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. The transient receptor potential cation channels participate in regulating intracellular Ca(2+) and thus vascular contractility and cell proliferation. Upregulation of genes encoding these channels is involved in the development of pulmonary hypertension.