Remodeling of Arterial Tone Regulation in Postnatal Development: Focus on Smooth Muscle Cell Potassium Channels

Maturation of the cardiovascular system is associated with crucial structural and functional remodeling. Thickening of the arterial wall, maturation of the sympathetic innervation, and switching of the mechanisms of arterial contraction from calcium-independent to calcium-dependent occur during postnatal development. All these processes promote an almost doubling of blood pressure from the moment of birth to reaching adulthood. This review focuses on the developmental alterations of potassium channels functioning as key smooth muscle membrane potential determinants and, consequently, vascular tone regulators. We present evidence that the pattern of potassium channel contribution to vascular control changes from K(ir)2, K(v)1, K(v)7 and TASK-1 channels to BK(Ca) channels with maturation. The differences in the contribution of potassium channels to vasomotor tone at different stages of postnatal life should be considered in treatment strategies of cardiovascular diseases associated with potassium channel malfunction.