Abstract
Aging is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death in developed countries. Globally, the population of adults over the age of 60 is expected to double by the year 2050. CVD prevalence and mortality rates differ between men and women as they age in part due to sex-specific mechanisms impacting the biological processes of aging. Measures of vascular function offer key insights into cardiovascular health. Changes in vascular function precede changes in CVD prevalence rates in men and women and with aging. A key mechanism underlying these changes in vascular function is the endothelin (ET) system. Studies have demonstrated sex and sex hormone effects on endothelin-1 (ET-1), and its receptors ETA and ETB. However, with aging there is a dysregulation of this system resulting in an imbalance between vasodilation and vasoconstriction. Thus, ET-1 may play a role in the sex differences observed with vascular aging. While most research has been conducted in pre-clinical animal models, we describe more recent translational data in humans showing that the ET system is an important regulator of vascular dysfunction with aging and acts through sex-specific ET receptor mechanisms. In this review, we present translational evidence (cell, tissue, animal, and human) that the ET system is a key mechanism regulating sex-specific changes in vascular function with aging, along with therapeutic interventions to reduce ET-mediated vascular dysfunction associated with aging. More knowledge on the factors responsible for the sex differences with vascular aging allow for optimized therapeutic strategies to attenuate CVD risk in the expanding aging population.
Introduction
Aging is a primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of death in developed countries. Currently, 13% of the world population and 16% of the population in the United States is over the age of 65 (Ortman et al., 2014; ). Moreover, globally, the population of adults over the age of 60 is expected to double by the year 2050 (Ortman et al., 2014). The prevalence of CVD increases with age, but there are important sex differences in both prevalence and mortality (Virani et al., 2020). Young apparently healthy premenopausal women generally exhibit a favorable cardiovascular risk profile compared with age-matched men, largely attributed to the protective role of ovarian hormones (Iorga et al., 2017). However, the menopause transition is associated with an accelerated risk of CVD in women, matching or exceeding that of men (), and is thought to be due in part to changes in sex hormones. Understanding the mechanisms contributing to the sex differences in CVD with aging is important given differences in disease onset and mortality.
The endothelium is a monolayer of endothelial cells that creates a barrier between the blood and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), forming the lumen of the blood vessel. To maintain homeostasis, the endothelium produces and releases both vasodilating and vasoconstricting factors, the most potent being nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1), respectively. Endothelial dysfunction, which precedes the development of cardiovascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis is a non-traditional risk factor for CVD (Vanhoutte et al., 2017). Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by a reduced vasodilatory capacity, primarily mediated by reduced NO bioavailability, a pro-inflammatory, and pro-thrombotic state of the vasculature (). Measures of endothelial function are considered a biomarker for cardiovascular health, and functional changes in conduit and resistance vessels reflect changes in the coronary arteries (Muller-Delp, 2013; Schnabel et al., 2013; Huxley and Kemp, 2018), serving as a useful surrogate measure of coronary endothelial function.
Aging is associated with declines in endothelial function. Notably, there are sex differences in age-related declines in endothelial function. Young women tend to have greater endothelium-dependent dilation compared to men (Schnabel et al., 2013). In men, the decline in endothelial function, as measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), begins around the 4th decade of the life; however, this is delayed in women by ∼10 years occuring around the 5th decade of life (), which is around the time of menopause (Figure 1). After menopause, the rate of decline is much greater in women compared to men as they age (). These sex-specific declines in endothelial function with aging mirror the observed increase in CVD prevalence with aging. Importantly, endothelial function when used as a surrogate marker for cardiovascular health is a useful tool for studying sex differences in vascular aging.
FIGURE 1
The mechanisms underlying sex differences in the age-related decline in endothelial function remain under investigation, but accumulating evidence indicates that the ET system is a key sex-specific regulator of vascular dysfunction associated with aging. The ET system is active in many tissues such as neural, kidney, lung, and vasculature (Khimji and Rockey, 2010) and plays a role in cardiovascular physiology (Lerman et al., 1995) and numerous pathologies such as vascular dysfunction (Iglarz and Clozel, 2007), atherosclerosis (Ihling et al., 2001), hypertension (
Aging also increases the risk for CVD through other adverse effects on the arterial wall, including VSMC growth, apoptosis, vascular hypertrophy and enhanced matrix metalloproteinase activity, which can lead to arterial remodeling and stiffening (
Regulation of Endothelin
The ET peptide is a potent vasoconstrictor primarily released from endothelial cells (Yanagisawa et al., 1988). There are three variants (ET-1, ET-2, ET3) of the vasoactive peptide with ET-1 being the most biologically active. ET-1 acts locally in a paracrine and autocrine manner due to its abluminal secretion and location of its receptors (Wagner et al., 1992;
ET-1 synthesis is regulated through gene transcription. Gene transcription results in prepro-ET-1 mRNA which is cleaved by the protein convertase, furin, to yield Big ET-1 (Peto et al., 1996). Big ET-1 is a 38 amino acid peptide and is the precursor to the 21 amino acid long, biologically active ET-1 peptide (Russell et al., 1998). Big ET-1 can be cleaved by either of two endothelin converting enzymes, ECE-1 or ECE-2 (Turner and Murphy, 1996). ECE-1 has four splice variants and is present on both the plasma membrane and intracellular compartments of endothelial cells (Xu et al., 1994; Schweizer et al., 1997; Valdenaire et al., 1999). Additionally, there are mechanisms of ET-1 generation that are independent of ECE; ET-11-31 is an inactive intermediate which is converted to active ET-1 neprilysin (Wypij et al., 1992; Maguire and Davenport, 2004). For a comprehensive review of endothelin synthesis, we refer the reader to the following publications (
Following synthesis, the peptide and its precursor Big ET-1 are stored in intracellular vesicles such as Weibel-Palade bodies (Kavashima et al., 1999). A majority of the peptide is stored as Big ET-1 and is converted to the biologically active peptide during exocytosis. ET-1 has both a constitutive and regulated pathway for release (Seed et al., 2012). In the constitutive pathway, secretory vessels containing Big-ET1, ET-1, ECE-1, and ECE-2 are trafficked to the membrane for release towards the VSMC (Kuruppu et al., 2007). In the regulated pathway, ET-1 is stored in Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells (Russell et al., 1998). Upon stimulation, trafficking to the membrane occurs and ET-1 is released abluminally providing an immediate increase in the local concentration of ET-1. This local surge in ET-1 following stimulation is important to its vasoactive properties in regulating vascular tone.
Although the endothelium is the primary source of ET-1, there are also non-endothelial sources of ET-1 that include VSMCs and immune cells such as monocytes, neutrophils, and mast cells. VSMCs release ET-1 at a rate that is 100× less than endothelial cells and do not utilize the same storage mechanisms of ET-1 as endothelial cells (Kanse et al., 1991). Despite the lower release of ET-1 from VSMC compared to endothelial cells, ET-1 expression can still be upregulated in VSMC in pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis (Haug et al., 1996). The cells can act through various feedback loops to influence ET-1 production, as demonstrated by the ability of VSMC to inhibit endothelial cell ET-1 production through a NO-mediated mechanism (
ET-1 plays an essential role in regulating vascular tone through a balance of endothelial cell and VSMC receptor activation. In the vasculature, both the ETA and ETB receptors are expressed on VSMC and mediate vasoconstriction (Ivey et al., 2008; Nilsson et al., 2008). The vascular smooth muscle ETA receptor is the primary receptor driving the potent vasoconstrictor effects of ET-1 in healthy vasculature, which are long lasting. The signaling cascade involves phospholipase C (PLC), inositol triphosphate (IP3), and diacylglycerol (DAG) leading to an increase in intracellular calcium release (
The ETB receptors are also located on endothelial cells. Endothelial ETB receptors balance the vasoconstrictor effects of VSMC, promote vasodilation via enhancing NO and prostacyclin (PGI2), and act as a clearance receptor to help remove local ET-1 (Hirata et al., 1993). The ETB receptor has numerous sites for posttranslational modifications including phosphorylation, palmitoylation, and glycosylation which can alter its functional properties (
ET-1, Aging, and Sex
Aging, sex, and sex hormones are associated with changes in ET-1 synthesis, expression, release from endothelial cells, and circulating plasma levels, all which can contribute to vascular dysfunction (Tokunaga et al., 1992; Kumazaki et al., 1994;
Plasma ET-1
Plasma levels of ET-1 increase with age and are elevated in middle-aged and older adults compared to young adults (Miyauchi et al., 1992). In women there is a stepwise increase in plasma ET-1 between young, middle, and older adults (Maeda et al., 2003). In men, there is also higher plasma ET-1 in older compared to younger adults (
The precursors (such as Big ET-1) and intermediates of ET-1 have also been measured in the plasma, and higher levels are associated with the presence of CVD pathology and severity (Leslie et al., 2004). The 31-amino acid intermediate of ET-1 (ET-11-31) is produced through a chymase enzymatic reaction and is also biologically active although less potent than ET-1 produced through its traditional pathway (Leslie et al., 2004b; Maguire et al., 2001;
Vascular ET-1 Expression and Sensitivity
Despite the benefits of measuring plasma ET-1, plasma concentrations of ET-1 may not always be reflective of tissue or cellular ET-1; local concentrations of ET-1 are tissue dependent and can be 100-fold higher than plasma concentrations (
There is evidence in both animals and humans of reductions in ET-1 sensitivity with aging, which could suggest age-related increases in ET-1 expression and augmented endothelin-mediated vasoconstrictor tone. In humans, blunted vasoconstrictor responses to exogenous ET-1 have been reported in older compared to younger men (Van Guilder et al., 2007), suggesting increased vasoconstrictor tone attributable in part by ET-1 (Thijssen et al., 2007; Van Guilder et al., 2007; Westby et al., 2011). Moreover, in older men there is greater arterial and venous endothelial cellexpression of ET-1 compared to young men (
ET-1 Interaction With Other Vasoactive Substances
ET-1 interacts with a number of other substances within the vasculature, such as NO, PGI2, and thromboxane. NO is a regulator of ET-1, and increased NO can downregulate ET-1 production (
ETA and ETB Receptors
As previously mentioned, ETA and ETB receptors are located on VSMC, and the ETB receptor is also located on the endothelium. The ratio of receptors is important in mediating the functional responses to ET-1. There is a shift in ETA:ETB receptor expression with aging in male Sprague-Dawley rats which can lead to functional changes (
In humans, sex and aging can both impact receptor density and function. The ETB receptor mediates vasoconstrictor tone in young men, whereas it mediates vasodilator tone in young women (Kellogg et al., 2001; Wenner et al., 2017). These sex differences are also apparent in older adults; Stauffer and colleagues demonstrated older men have greater ETA mediated vasoconstrictor tone compared to women (Stauffer et al., 2010). Interestingly, older postmenopausal women had greater increases in forearm blood flow to dual antagonism of the ETA and ETB receptor compared to ETA alone, suggesting ETB receptors play a larger role in mediating vascular function in older women while ETA receptors play a larger role in older men (Stauffer et al., 2010). Additionally, receptor density is different between older men and women such that older men have a greater density of ETA receptors as well as a higher ratio of ETA:ETB receptors in the saphenous vein compared to women (
Women
There has been an increasing amount of evidence pointing to changes in ETB receptor function as a mechanism contributing to vascular dysfunction in women. Our lab has provided additional support demonstrating that the ETB receptor promotes vasodilation in young women however this effect is lost following menopause (Figure 2A) (Wenner et al., 2017). This switch in ETB receptor function in postmenopausal women suggests that the ETB receptor is a primary driver of ET-mediated vascular dysfunction in women (Wenner et al., 2017). Moreover, we have recently shown reduced ETB receptor expression on endothelial cells in postmenopausal compared to young premenopausal women (Figure 2B) (Kuczmarski et al., 2020). Additionally, we reported a positive relation between FMD and ETB receptor expression further suggesting a role for the ETB receptor in contributing to vascular function (Figure 2C). Indeed, these studies suggest there is attenuated ETB mediated dilation in postmenopausal women in part due to lower endothelial ETB receptor expression, and possibly an increased vascular smooth muscle cell ETB-mediated constriction.
FIGURE 2

Loss of ETB-mediated vasodilation and decreased endothelial ETB receptor expression contribute to age-related declines in endothelial function in women. Cutaneous microvascular conductance (CVC; expressed as % maximal dilation) was measured in young women (YW) and postmenopausal women (PMW) during local heating with microdialysis perfusions of lactated Ringer solution (control; gray bars) or the ETB receptor antagonist BQ-788 (pink bars). ETB receptors mediate dilation in young women (YW), an effect that is lost in postmenopausal women (PMW) (A) Graph from Stanhewicz et al. (2018); data from Wenner et al. (2017). ETB receptor expression [in arbitrary units (a.u.)] in venous endothelial cells collected from healthy young women (YW) and postmenopausal women (PMW). (B, top) Representative images of a venous endothelial cell ETB receptor expression in a YW and PMW with a scale bar representing cell size (B, bottom) Data from Kuczmarski et al. (2020). Pearson correlation showing the significant relation between flow-mediated dilation (FMD, %) and ETB receptor expression [in arbitrary units (AU)] among YW (n = 15, closed circles) and PMW (n = 15, open circles) (C) Data from Kuczmarski et al. (2020).
The loss of estradiol (E2) during menopause could be a factor contributing to the changes in the ET system. Estradiol not only directly impacts ET-1, but also enhances NO and PGI2 (
The use of animal models, specifically ovariectomy (OVX), a form of surgical menopause that reduces levels of ovarian hormones in females, with E2 add-back, have been a useful tool to study the effects of E2 on the ET system. OVX leads to increased plasma and cellular ET-1 levels as well as increased ET-1 mediated constriction (Wang et al., 1997; Rodrigo et al., 2003; Tan et al., 2003). Increased VSMC constriction is mediated by increased ETA mediated tone and/or increased ETB receptor expression (Sudhir et al., 1997;
ET receptor expression is also impacted by E2. In an animal model using OVX and E2 add-back, the loss of ovarian hormones increased ET receptor expression, however this response was attenuated when E2 was restored (Gohar et al., 2016). ETA receptor mRNA expression, but not ETB receptor expression, was reduced after treatment with E2 in the aorta of OVX rabbits (Pedersen et al., 2009). In rat aortic VSMCs there was also a reduction in ETA receptor protein expression following E2 treatment; unfortunately, ETB receptor expression was not evaluated in this study (Ting-Huai et al., 2001). In contrast, cardiomyocytes from OVX spontaneously hypertensive rats had decreased ETB receptor mRNA expression following E2 treatment with no change in ETA receptor expression (Nuedling et al., 2003). Another study evaluating the impact of E2 following a myocardial infarction in female rats demonstrated no change in ETA receptor expression but attenuated ETB receptor expression in the left ventricle in the E2 treated group compared to placebo (Smith et al., 2000). Importantly, different tissues have different ratios of endothelin receptor expression, and the model used can also impact ET receptor expression. Gohar et al. examined ETA receptor and ETB receptor mRNA expression in OVX rats treated with E2 and demonstrated tissue specific changes in receptor expression. For example, in the lungs, E2 decreased ETA receptor expression but did not change ETB receptor expression, whereas in the liver, E2 did not change ETA receptor expression but increased ETB receptor expression (Gohar et al., 2016). It has also been shown that E2 attenuates ETA expression on VSMCs in culture (Ting-Huai et al., 2001). Thus, there appears to be tissue dependent actions of E2 on the ET system, such that loss of E2 can lead to dysregulation of the endothelin system and restoration of E2 seems to attenuate the ET system.
Investigation of the underlying mechanistic pathways to explain the role of E2 on the ET system are ongoing. In cell culture models, E2 treatment was able to attenuate ET-1 production in cells stimulated with numerous secretagogues including angiotensin-II, thrombin, TNF-α, and cyclic strain (
More recently the G-protein estrogen receptor (GPER) has been shown to play a role in modulating the ET system by attenuating the ET-1 vasoconstrictor response in VSMC (Meyer et al., 2012) as well as increase NO production in endothelial cells (
Men
The ET system also contributes to vascular dysfunction in men. In young men ETB and ETA receptors mediate vasoconstrictor tone (Haynes and Webb, 1994; Kellogg et al., 2001). In older men there is greater ETA mediated vasoconstrictor tone compared to younger men, as determined by brachial artery infusion of the ETA receptor antagonist, BQ-123 (Van Guilder et al., 2007). Furthermore, BQ-123 administration improved acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation in older men (Westby et al., 2011), suggesting that ETA-mediated vasoconstriction contributes to the age-related endothelial dysfunction in men (Figure 3A). Both plasma and endothelial cell ET-1 expression (Figure 3B) are increased in older men compared to younger men (
FIGURE 3

ETA-mediated vasoconstriction and increased cellular expression of ET-1 contributes to age-related declines in endothelial function in men. Forearm blood flow responses to acetylcholine were measured in young men (YM) and older men (OM) during saline conditions (control; black bars) or co-infused with the ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123 (blue bars). The age-associated decline in endothelial function was abolished with co-infusion of BQ-123 (A) Graph from Stanhewicz et al. (2018); data from Westby et al. (2011). Endothelial cellular expression of ET-1 (as a ratio of ET-1 to HUVEC control) collected in healthy young and old men. (B, top) and representative images of venous endothelial cell ET-1 expression obtained from brachial arteries in a young and older man (B, bottom) Data from
To evaluate the impact of androgens on the vasculature, testosterone treatment has been used in animal models. In a study using aortas from male rabbits, testosterone was found to worsen endothelial function (Hutchison et al., 1997). This effect was also observed during treatment of porcine coronary arteries with testosterone, and further showed augmented vasoconstrictor responses to ET-1 (Teoh et al., 2000). Loss of testosterone through orchidectomy induced a significant increase in ET-1 and ETB receptor expression in the rat portal vein, which was reversed following testosterone replacement, however ETA receptor expression remained unchanged in the presence or absence of testosterone (Rossignoli et al., 2014).
Additional evidence of the impact of testosterone on the ET system is found in cell culture experiments. In human aortic endothelial cells, testosterone increased the number of cells secreting ET-1 and upregulated ET-1 mRNA within 3 h (Pearson et al., 2008). In porcine aortic and human coronary artery endothelial cells testosterone increased ET-1 release in both short term (5 h) and long-term incubation (24 h). Additionally, antagonizing the testosterone receptor using flutamide resulted in attenuated testosterone-mediated ET-1 release (Wilbert-Lampen et al., 2005). However, when haloperidol, a non-selective sigma-1 receptor antagonist was used in combination with testosterone treatment there was significantly less ET-1 produced. Thus, testosterone can act through direct and indirect pathways to increase ET-1 concentrations. The use of hormone therapies in men has been used for conditions such as hypogonadism where low testosterone can be detrimental, however, the use of testosterone therapy with natural aging is more controversial. A recent review of the impact of testosterone on vascular aging can be found here (Moreau et al., 2020).
Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Therapies
Given that the ET system contributes to numerous vascular pathologies, its receptors are a target for pharmacological intervention. ET-receptor antagonists (ERA) have been studied in several pathologies; however, the studies were stopped early due to an increase in adverse effects of ERA treatment including increased fluid retention and liver toxicity, with the outcomes falling short of expectations (Ohkita et al., 2012;
New study designs have helped to increase efficacy by using an enrichment-responder design that identifies participants who demonstrate a response to the drug at low doses and who will potentially be less likely to have an adverse event. The SONAR trial was the first to use this approach in patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, and demonstrated that in responders, Atrasentan, a selective low dose ERA targeting ETA receptors, reduced the risk of renal events (Heerspink et al., 2019). It was noted that there was high variability in the responses to Atrasentan, and in a sub-analysis of the SONAR trial there were sex differences in the pharmacokinetics of Atrasentan such that women had significantly higher area under the plasma concentration curve of plasma Atrasentan compared to men (Koomen et al., 2021). Additionally, there were racial differences observed in both Asian and Black patients compared with North American patients (Koomen et al., 2021). Indeed, given the sexual dimorphism of ET receptor subtype expression and function with aging, the impact of aging and sex on the efficacy of these selective ERA therapeutics should not be ignored.
Novel therapeutics targeting different parts of the ET system as well as novel ways to antagonize receptor function have shown promise in early studies. New methods using immunotherapy to create custom antibodies to ET receptors also show promise for the treatment of PAH. A specific antibody against the ETR-002 epitope of the ETA receptor was able to reduce right ventricle systolic pressure in PAH animals (
Exercise
Exercise training also has beneficial effects on health and longevity and can reduce CVD risk. Vascular endothelial function is reduced in middle-aged and older sedentary adults and aerobic exercise training can rescue these impairments. Given the distinct role of ET-1 on age-associated impairments in endothelial function in both men (Westby et al., 2011; Moreau et al., 2020) and women (Tan et al., 2003; Wenner et al., 2017), as well as populations with overt CVD risk factors such as hypertension (Nyberg et al., 2013) or overweight/obesity (
Clear evidence demonstrates aerobic exercise training improves ET system function in previously sedentary older men, and similarly, endothelial function is preserved in habitually active older men (
In women, the impact of aerobic exercise on endothelial function is equivocal, with data showing endothelial function is not consistently preserved (Pierce et al., 2011; Santos-Parker et al., 2017;
E2 is known to modulate the ET system as described above. Recent data indicate that E2 plays an essential role to “transduce” the benefits of exercise on the vasculature in postmenopausal women (Moreau et al., 2013). Therefore, it is likely that E2-deficient postmenopausal women demonstrate a general lack of vascular adaptations to aerobic exercise training compared to men due to loss of endogenous E2 production at menopause (Moreau et al., 2013). These vascular impairments are likely further exacerbated by a concomitant increase in ET-1 system activity and/or dysfunctional ET-1 receptors with age and/or menopause. Identifying windows of opportunity for preventative or early treatment, and optimizing exercise interventions that effectively protect against endothelial impairment, is critical for reducing CVD in women given the stark reduction in vasoprotective sex hormones and endothelial function along with a concomitant rise in prevalence of hypertension and CVD with menopause.
Summary and Future Directions
In summary, sex-specific differences in the ET-1 signaling pathway plays a large role in sex differences observed in endothelial function with aging (Figure 4). In women, aging is associated with a decreased endothelial ETB receptor expression (Kuczmarski et al., 2020) and loss of ETB-mediated vasodilation (Wenner et al., 2017) contributing to endothelial dysfunction (Wenner et al., 2017). These changes in ETB receptor expression and function are likely modulated by sex hormones based off work in cell culture and preclinical animal models, as well as emerging data in humans. In men, aging is associated with overexpression of cellular ET-1 and greater ETA receptor-mediated vasoconstriction, both of which contribute to declines in endothelial function (Figure 4). These sex-specific differences in ET receptor subtype expression and function can modulate ET-1 while also increasing vasoconstrictor tone and exacerbating its pressor effects. However, it remains unclear whether the age-related increases in plasma ET-1 are due to these aforementioned changes in expression of ET-1 or ETA/ETB receptors, or clearance by the ETB receptor, in humans. The local tissue concentrations of ET-1 and expression of ET-1 in VSMC as well as changes in ETA/ETB receptor expression on VSMC in aging men and women is an important area of future investigation. As vascular dysfunction becomes more apparent with aging, the ET system should not be overlooked as an important contributor to sexual dimorphism in the development and progression of age-associated CVD. Moreover, additional work is needed to understand if there is a shift due to aging and/or fluctuations in sex hormones in the different signaling pathways of ETA and ETB receptors.
FIGURE 4

Sex differences in ET-1 signaling pathway with aging impacting endothelial function. In men, aging is associated with overexpression of cellular ET-1 and greater ETA receptor mediated vasoconstriction (A), both of which contribute to declines in endothelial function. In contrast, the age-related decline in endothelial function in women is mediated in part by decreased endothelial ETB receptor expression and loss of ETB-mediated vasodilation (B). Created with BioRender.com.
Given the ET system is a critical player in regulating vascular function as well as numerous pathological conditions, the ability to regulate the ET system through lifestyle or pharmacological interventions are valuable therapeutic tools. Finding windows of opportunity for preventative or early treatment is critical to reducing CVD. More research is needed to develop new methods to manipulate production of ET-1 and receptor function as therapeutic targets, since currently approved drugs tend to have numerous side effects. Targeting specific ET receptors based on receptor subtype and tissue location could help to attenuate the ET system and help preserve vascular function without systemic side effects. Lifestyle changes are often first line treatments to prevent, delay, and reverse elevations in CVD risk. ET system activity may be an important mechanism underlying the sex-specific differences in adaptations to aerobic exercise and is an important question that warrants future study. This is critical given that less than 1 in 4 adults report sufficient activity to meet the relevant national physical activity guidelines for both aerobic and muscle strengthening exercise (Gliemann et al., 2020). Finally, understanding the effects of hormone therapy in men and women and the timing of initiating treatment on the ET system may provide valuable information for preventing or delaying the age-associated declines in endothelial function and increased prevalence of CVD.
Statements
Author contributions
AK, LW, KM, and MW contributed to the conception and design of the research; AK, LW, KM, and MW drafted the manuscript; AK, LW, KM, and MW edited and revised the manuscript; AK, LW, KM, and MW approved the final version of the manuscript.
Funding
MW is supported by NIH Grant R01 HL146558.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Publisher’s note
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Summary
Keywords
endothelin, aging, sex hormone, endothelial function, cardiovascular
Citation
Kuczmarski AV, Welti LM, Moreau KL and Wenner MM (2021) ET-1 as a Sex-Specific Mechanism Impacting Age-Related Changes in Vascular Function. Front. Aging 2:727416. doi: 10.3389/fragi.2021.727416
Received
18 June 2021
Accepted
13 August 2021
Published
31 August 2021
Volume
2 - 2021
Edited by
Cátia F. Lourenço, University of Coimbra, Portugal
Reviewed by
Pedro D’Orléans-Juste, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada
Martin Houde, Leiden University, Netherlands
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© 2021 Kuczmarski, Welti, Moreau and Wenner.
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*Correspondence: Megan M. Wenner, mwenner@udel.edu
This article was submitted to Molecular Mechanisms of Aging, a section of the journal Frontiers in Aging
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