Regulation of voltage-gated potassium channels in vascular smooth muscle during hypertension and metabolic disorders.

Voltage-gated potassium (K ) channels are key regulators of vascular smooth muscle contractility and vascular tone, and thus have major influence on the microcirculation. K channels are important determinants of vascular smooth muscle membrane potential (E ). A number of K subunits are expressed in the plasma membrane of smooth muscle cells. Each subunit confers distinct kinetics and regulatory properties that allow for fine control of E to orchestrate vascular tone. Modifications in K subunit expression and/or channel activity can contribute to changes in vascular smooth muscle contractility in response to different stimuli and in diverse pathological conditions. Consistent with this, a number of studies suggest alterations in K subunit expression and/or function as underlying contributing mechanisms for small resistance artery dysfunction in pathologies such as hypertension and metabolic disorders, including diabetes. Here, we review our current knowledge on the effects of these pathologies on K channel expression and function in vascular smooth muscle cells, and the repercussions on (micro)vascular function.