Intracellular microelectrodes containing green dyes mark muscle cells (SMC) which encircle small blood vessels, or endothelial cells (EC) which line small blood vessels, in experiments investigating vascular function.

T: +61 2 6125 2996
F: +61 2 6125 8077
E: caryl.hill@anu.edu.au

Mail Address:
Neuroscience Program 
The John Curtin School of Medical Research 
GPO Box 334
Canberra  ACT  2601  Australia 

 

 

The coordinated behaviour of small arteries is fundamental to the regulation of blood flow, blood pressure and adequate tissue perfusion. Arteriolar tone describes the homeostatic state of partial constriction in which blood vessels normally exist. This arteriolar tone therefore enables blood flow to be actively regulated through factors which cause further constriction or those which cause relaxation. Many different stimuli can affect vascular function. These include the release of neurotransmitters from networks of nerves on the outside of blood vessels, release of metabolic by-products from surrounding tissues, or the physical and chemical forces exerted by the circulating blood.
Although blood vessel walls are composed of muscle cells which encircle the vessels and endothelial cells which line the vessels (see photo left), these different cells are electrically and chemically coupled through membrane channels called gap junctions. As this cell coupling is a prominent feature of the small blood vessels which have the greatest impact on blood pressure, our research is directed to identifying the role of cell coupling in vascular responses and investigation of the mechanisms underlying functional deficits which occur during cardiovascular disease and obesity.

 

Research

Publications

Staff

Professor Hill-Curriculum Vitae

Group Photo Gallery