Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor and growthpromoting mediator that is involved in the maintenance of vascular tone within the healthy circulation. However, a pathogenic role has been implicated by its overproduction in a number of cardiovascular diseases, which include pulmonary hypertension, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, and coronary vasospasm. ET-1 mRNA expression and peptide production in human vascular smooth muscle cells (HVSMCs) are markedly increased by exposure to tumor necrosis factor-␣ and interferon-␥. The intracellular signaling mechanism involved in this pathway is not known.