Table 1.

Cell type-specific regulation of vasodilation and vasoconstriction

Vascular cell types	Vasodilation	Vasoconstriction
Vascular mural cells	• Hyperpolarization: K+ channels ↑, Ca2+ channels ↓[55] • Activation of NO-cGMP-PKG pathway [63] • Activation of cAMP-PKA pathway [65]	• Depolarization: K+ channels ↓, Ca2+ channels ↑[55] • Cytosolic Ca2+ increase mediated by IP3 receptor [56] • Activation of RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway [57]
Neurons	• NMDA and AMPA glutamate receptor-dependent: ◦ NO release through nNOS [62] ◦ PGI2 synthesis [62]	• NPY release from activated inhibitory neurons [66] • VP release from VP neurons in the SON [67]
Astrocytes	• mGluR-dependent PGE2 and EET synthesis [60] • Astrocytic end feet K+ release in response to increased cytosolic Ca2+ [61]	• Excess increase of cytosolic Ca2+ induced by Angiotensin II through AT1 receptor [68]
Endothelial cells	• NO release through eNOS induced by: ◦ Glutamate signaling via NMDAR [69] ◦ Shear stress [70]	• ET release induced by hypoxia, thrombin, and inflammatory cytokines [71] • ONOO− production by Angiotensin II through AT1-NOX pathway [72]