Endothelium-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids and vascular function

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids ( EETs) are epoxides of arachidonic acid generated by cytochrome P450 ( CYP) epoxygenases. The activation of CYP epoxygenases in endothelial cells is an important step in the NO and prostacyclin-independent vasodilatation of several vascular beds, and EETs have been identified as an endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor. However, EETs also exert membrane potential-independent effects and modulate several signaling cascades that affect endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis. This review summarizes the role of CYP-derived EETs in endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor-mediated responses and highlights the evidence indicating that EETs are important second messengers involved in endothelial cell signaling pathways related to angiogenesis.