0000000000350012
AUTHOR
Ingrid Fleming
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Ramiprilat Interferes With the Sequestration of the B 2 Kinin Receptor Within the Plasma Membrane of Native Endothelial Cells
Background —ACE (kininase II) inhibitors have been shown to exert their beneficial cardiovascular effects via the inhibition of both angiotensin II formation and bradykinin breakdown. Because recent evidence suggests that ACE inhibitors may also interfere with B 2 kinin receptor signaling and thus enhance the vascular response to bradykinin, we examined whether the distribution of B 2 kinin receptors within the plasma membrane of native endothelial cells is affected by an ACE inhibitor. Methods and Results —Localization of the B 2 kinin receptor in membranes prepared from native porcine aortic endothelial cells was evaluated by means of specific [ 3 H]bradykinin binding and immunoprecipita…
AT1-receptor blockade by telmisartan upregulates GTP-cyclohydrolase I and protects eNOS in diabetic rats.
Several enzymatic sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were described as potential reasons of eNOS uncoupling in diabetes mellitus. In the present study, we investigated the effects of AT1-receptor blockade with chronic telmisartan (25 mg/kg/day, 6.5 weeks) therapy on expression of the BH4-synthesizing enzyme GTP-cyclohydrolase I (GCH-I), eNOS uncoupling, and endothelial dysfunction in streptozotocin (STZ, 60 mg/kg iv, 7 weeks)-induced diabetes mellitus (type I). Telmisartan therapy did not modify blood glucose and body weight. Aortas from diabetic animals had vascular dysfunction as revealed by isometric tension studies (acetylcholine and nitroglycerin potency). Vascular and cardiac RO…
EGFL7 ligates αvβ3 integrin to enhance vessel formation
Angiogenesis, defined as blood vessel formation from a preexisting vasculature, is governed by multiple signal cascades including integrin receptors, in particular integrin αVβ3. Here we identify the endothelial cell (EC)-secreted factor epidermal growth factor-like protein 7 (EGFL7) as a novel specific ligand of integrin αVβ3, thus providing mechanistic insight into its proangiogenic actions in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, EGFL7 attaches to the extracellular matrix and by its interaction with integrin αVβ3 increases the motility of EC, which allows EC to move on a sticky underground during vessel remodeling. We provide evidence that the deregulation of EGFL7 in zebrafish embryos leads …
11,12-EET Stimulates the Association of BK Channel α and β1 Subunits in Mitochondria to Induce Pulmonary Vasoconstriction
In the systemic circulation, 11,12-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (11,12-EET) elicits nitric oxide (NO)- and prostacyclin-independent vascular relaxation, partially through the activation of large conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK) channels. However, in the lung 11,12-EET contributes to hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction. Since pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells also express BK channels, we assessed the consequences of BKβ(1) subunit deletion on pulmonary responsiveness to 11,12-EET as well as to acute hypoxia. In buffer-perfused mouse lungs, hypoxia increased pulmonary artery pressure and this was significantly enhanced in the presence of NO synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (…
The N-terminal domain of mammalian soluble epoxide hydrolase is a phosphatase
The mammalian soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is an enzyme with multiple functions, being implicated in detoxification of xenobiotic epoxides as well as in regulation of physiological processes such as blood pressure. The enzyme is a homodimer, in which each subunit is composed of two domains. The 35-kDa C-terminal domain has an α/β hydrolase fold and harbors the catalytic center for the EH activity. The 25-kDa N-terminal domain has a different α/β fold and belongs to the haloacid dehalogenase superfamily of enzymes. The catalytic properties of the enzyme reported so far can all be explained by the action of the C-terminal domain alone. The function of the N-terminal domain, other than in …
Mechanisms of Increased Vascular Superoxide Production in an Experimental Model of Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Objective— In the present study, we sought to identify mechanisms underlying increased oxidative stress in vascular tissue in an experimental animal model of chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). Methods and Results— Superoxide and nitric oxide (NO) was measured in vessels from cardiomyopathic hamsters (CHF hamsters) and golden Syrian hamsters. We also determined expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOSIII), the soluble guanylyl cyclase, the cGMP-dependent kinase, and the NADPH oxidase. To analyze the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system to oxidative stress, CHF hamsters were treated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril for 200 days (120 mg · kg …
NADPH Oxidase Accounts for Enhanced Superoxide Production and Impaired Endothelium-Dependent Smooth Muscle Relaxation in BKβ1 −/− Mice
Objective— Nitric oxide (NO)-induced vasorelaxation involves activation of large conductance Ca 2+ -activated K + channels (BK). A regulatory BKβ1 subunit confers Ca 2+ , voltage, and NO/cGMP sensitivity to the BK channel. We investigated whether endothelial function and NO/cGMP signaling is affected by a deletion of the β1-subunit. Methods and Results— Vascular superoxide in BKβ1 −/− was measured using the fluorescent dye hydroethidine and lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence. Vascular NO formation was analyzed using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), expression of NADPH oxidase subunits, the endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), as well as the activity a…
Stable Oxidative Cytosine Modifications Accumulate in Cardiac Mesenchymal Cells From Type2 Diabetes Patients
Rationale: Human cardiac mesenchymal cells (CMSCs) are a therapeutically relevant primary cell population. Diabetes mellitus compromises CMSC function as consequence of metabolic alterations and incorporation of stable epigenetic changes. Objective: To investigate the role of α-ketoglutarate (αKG) in the epimetabolic control of DNA demethylation in CMSCs. Methods and Results: Quantitative global analysis, methylated and hydroxymethylated DNA sequencing, and gene-specific GC methylation detection revealed an accumulation of 5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, and 5-formylcytosine in the genomic DNA of human CMSCs isolated from diabetic donors. Whole heart genomic DNA analysis reveale…