Increased endothelin-1-mediated vasoconstriction after organ culture in rat and pig ocular arteries can be suppressed with MEK/ERK1/2 inhibitors.

This is the first study to show that the MEK/ERK1/2 pathway in responsible for the increase in functional vasoconstriction via ET-1 receptor in rat ophthalmic and pig retinal arteries. Furthermore, this study is the first to suggest a way of inhibiting and preventing such an increase. With these results, we suggest a novel approach in retinal ischaemia therapy.