L-type calcium channels remodeling in vascular smooth muscle cell promoted by hypertension

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can express different types of ion channels, including various calcium channels. The L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (LTCC) on the plasma membrane of VSMCs plays a pivotal role in modulating the vascular tone of small arteries and arterioles. The abnormally-elevated arterial tone observed in hypertension thus points to an aberrant expression and function of LTCC in the VSMCs. In this short review, the LTCC in VSMCs are focused. First, a brief overview on the physiological role of vascular LTCC in regulating arterial tone is provided, then the current understanding of the expression changes and regulation of LTCC in the vasculature during hypertension are discussed. At last, based on available proof-of-concept studies, the potential therapeutic approaches targeting LTCC in order to restore blood pressure to normotensive levels are described.