Aspirin and COX-2 Inhibitor Nimesulide Potentiate Adrenergic Contractions of Human Gastroepiploic Artery

Background The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intervention of COX-1- and COX-2-derived prostaglandins in the responses of human gastroepiploic artery to sympathetic stimulation and norepinephrine. Methods Rings of human gastroepiploic artery were obtained from 45 patients (26 men and 19 women) undergoing gastrectomy. The rings were suspended in organ baths for isometric recording of tension. We studied the responses to electrical field stimulation, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine, in the absence and presence of COX-1 or COX-2 inhibition. Results The COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitor aspirin at high concentrations (10 −6 to 10 −5 mol/L) and the COX-2 inhibitor nimesulide (10 −6 mol/L…

An affordable method to obtain cultured endothelial cells from peripheral blood

The culture of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) provides an excellent tool to research on EPC biology and vascular regeneration and vasculogenesis. The use of different protocols to obtain EPC cultures makes it difficult to obtain comparable results in different groups. This work offers a systematic comparison of the main variables of most commonly used protocols for EPC isolation, culture and functional evaluation. Peripheral blood samples from healthy individuals were recovered and mononuclear cells were cultured. Different recovery and culture conditions were tested: blood volume, blood anticoagulant, coating matrix and percentage of foetal bovine serum (FBS) in culture media. The succ…

Endothelial and neural factors functionally involved in the modulation of noradrenergic vasoconstriction in healthy pig internal mammary artery

The role of endothelial and neural factors as modulators of neurogenic- and noradrenaline-induced vasoconstriction was examined in healthy pig internal mammary artery (IMA). Tetrodotoxin-, guanethidine-sensitive electrical field stimulation (EFS)-, and noradrenaline-elicited contractions were significantly diminished by prazosin (n=8, P0.001) and less so by rauwolscine, indicating functional α₁- and α₂-adrenoceptor-mediated noradrenergic innervation of the IMA. Endothelium removal reduced neurogenic (n=8, P0.01) but augmented noradrenaline responses (n=8, P0.01), suggesting the release of two endothelium-dependent factors with opposite effects. In the presence of endothelium, neurogenic and…

Extracellular histones trigger oxidative stress-dependent induction of the NF-kB/CAM pathway via TLR4 in endothelial cells.

Abstract Extracellular histones have been reported to aggravate different pathophysiological processes by increasing vascular permeability, coagulopathy, and inflammation. In the present study, we elucidate how extracellular histones (10–100 µg/mL) concentration dependently increase cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS) production using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Furthermore, we identify cyclooxygenase (COX) and NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity as sources of ROS production in extracellular histone-treated HUVEC. This COX/NOX-mediated ROS production is also involved in enhanced NF-kB activity and cell adhesion molecules (VCAM1 and ICAM1) expression in histone-treated HUVE…

Estradiol induces endothelial cell migration and proliferation through estrogen receptor-enhanced RhoA/ROCK pathway

Migration and proliferation of endothelial cells are involved in re-endothelialization and angiogenesis, two important cardiovascular processes that are increased in response to estrogens. RhoA, a small GTPase which controls multiple cellular processes, is involved in the control of cell migration and proliferation. Our aim was to study the role of RhoA on estradiol-induced migration and proliferation and its dependence on estrogen receptors activity. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were stimulated with estradiol, in the presence or absence of ICI 182780 (estrogen receptors antagonist) and Y-27632 (Rho kinase inhibitor). Estradiol increased Rho GEF-1 gene expression and RhoA (gene an…

Estradiol Stimulates Vasodilatory and Metabolic Pathways in Cultured Human Endothelial Cells

Vascular effects of estradiol are being investigated because there are controversies among clinical and experimental studies. DNA microarrays were used to investigate global gene expression patterns in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to 1 nmol/L estradiol for 24 hours. When compared to control, 187 genes were identified as differentially expressed with 1.9-fold change threshold. Supervised principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed the differences between control and estradiol-treated samples. Physiological concentrations of estradiol are sufficient to elicit significant changes in HUVEC gene expression. Notch signaling, actin cyt…

Complete blockade of the vasorelaxant effects of angiotensin-(1-7) and bradykinin in murine microvessels by antagonists of the receptor Mas

Key points • Two distinct angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)] receptor blockers, A779 and d-Pro-Ang-(1–7), can completely prevent Ang-(1–7)-induced vasorelaxation. • Genetic deficiency of Mas completely prevents vascular responses to Ang-(1–7). • Genetic deficiency of Mas completely prevents vascular responses to other NO-dependent vasorelaxants (bradykinin). • Mas plays a key role in NO-mediated vasodilatation by modulating vasorelaxant-mediated phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in endothelial cells. Abstract  The heptapeptide angiotensin-(1–7) is a biologically active metabolite of angiotensin II, the predominant peptide of the renin–angiotensin system. Recently, we have show…

Estradiol, acting through estrogen receptor alpha, restores dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase activity and nitric oxide production in oxLDL-treated human arterial endothelial cells

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase. ADMA accumulation, mainly due to a decreased dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) activity, has been related to the development of cardiovascular diseases. We investigate whether estradiol prevents the changes induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) on the DDAH/ADMA/NO pathway in human umbilical artery endothelial cells (HUAEC). HUAEC were exposed to estradiol, native LDL (nLDL), oxLDL and their combinations for 24 h. In some experiments, cells were also exposed to the unspecific estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182780, the specific ERα antagonist MPP or specific agonists …

Endothelial transcriptomic changes induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein disclose an up-regulation of Jak-Stat pathway.

Oxidized low density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) act as an etiological factor in the development of atherosclerosis by modifying the biological properties of endothelial cells through mechanisms of vascular inflammation. To deepen the oxLDL changes at cellular level, a transcriptomic analysis of human umbilical artery endothelial cells (HUAECs) treated with oxLDL was performed to identify the modified signaling pathways. Total RNA was isolated from HUAECs treated with oxLDL (100 μg/ml). Gene expression analysis was carried out using Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays. Biological pathway analysis was performed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. Microarray assay demonstrated that oxLDL …

Diminished neurogenic femoral artery vasoconstrictor response in a Zucker obese rat model: differential regulation of NOS and COX derivatives.

Objective: Peripheral arterial disease is one of the macrovascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study addresses femoral artery regulation in a prediabetic model of obese Zucker rats (OZR) by examining cross-talk between endothelial and neural factors. Methods and Results: Arterial preparations from lean (LZR) and OZR were subjected to electrical field stimulation (EFS) on basal tone. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX) isoform expression patterns were determined by immunohistochemical labelling and Western blotting. Results indicate significantly reduced noradrenergic contractions in preparations from OZR compared with those of LZR. Functional inhibition …

Editorial: Genetic and Gene Regulation Underlying Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Disease.

MicroRNA as crucial regulators of gene expression in estradiol-treated human endothelial cells.

Background/Aims: Estrogen signalling plays an important role in vascular biology as it modulates vasoactive and metabolic pathways in endothelial cells. Growing evidence has also established microRNA (miRNA) as key regulators of endothelial function. Nonetheless, the role of estrogen regulation on miRNA profile in endothelial cells is poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to determine how estrogen modulates miRNA profile in human endothelial cells and to explore the role of the different estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ and GPER) in the regulation of miRNA expression by estrogen. Methods: We used miRNA microarrays to determine global miRNA expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cel…

Aging Negatively Affects Estrogens-Mediated Effects on Nitric Oxide Bioavailability by Shifting ERα/ERβ Balance in Female Mice

AIMS: Aging is among the major causes for the lack of cardiovascular protection by estrogen (E2) during postmenopause. Our study aims to determine the mechanisms whereby aging changes E2 effects on nitric oxide (NO) production in a mouse model of accelerated senescence (SAM). METHODS AND RESULTS: Although we found no differences on NO production in females SAM prone (SAMP, aged) compared to SAM resistant (SAMR, young), by either DAF-2 fluorescence or plasmatic nitrite/nitrate (NO2/NO3), in both cases, E2 treatment increased NO production in SAMR but had no effect in SAMP. Those results are in agreement with changes of eNOS protein and gene expression. E2 up-regulated eNOS expression in SAMR…

Extracellular histones disarrange vasoactive mediators reléase through COX-NOS interaction in human endothelial cells

Abstract Extracellular histones are mediators of inflammation, tissue injury and organ dysfunction. Interactions between circulating histones and vascular endothelial cells are key events in histone‐mediated pathologies. Our aim was to investigate the implication of extracellular histones in the production of the major vasoactive compounds released by human endothelial cells (HUVECs), prostanoids and nitric oxide (NO). HUVEC exposed to increasing concentrations of histones (0.001 to 100 μg/ml) for 4 hrs induced prostacyclin (PGI2) production in a dose‐dependent manner and decreased thromboxane A2 (TXA2) release at 100 μg/ml. Extracellular histones raised cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) and prostac…

Are the serum levels of sCD40L modified by raloxifene in postmenopausal women?

Sex Differences in Mitochondrial Antioxidant Gene Expression

Females live longer than males. This could be in part due to the higher levels of estrogens in females, which protect them against aging. Physiological concentrations of estrogens have antioxidant effects as they induce the expression of manganese superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase by stimulating estrogen receptors and the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B pathways. However, estrogens can have undesirable effects such as they are feminizing to males, so other alternatives need to be searched. Phytoestrogens are good candidates as they can also bind to estrogens receptors, and in fact, they are able to mimic the antioxidant properties of estrogens. It i…

Circulating miRNA Fingerprint and Endothelial Function in Myocardial Infarction: Comparison at Acute Event and One-Year Follow-Up.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are major regulators of intercellular communication and key players in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to determine the miRNA fingerprint in a cohort of 53 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) with non-ST-segment elevation (NSTEMI) relative to miRNA expression in healthy controls (n = 51). miRNA expression was initially profiled by miRNA array in the serum of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization during NSTEMI (n = 8) and 1 year past the event (follow-up, n = 8) and validated in the entire cohort. In total, 58 miRNAs were differentially expressed during AMI (p < 0.05), while 36 were modified at follow-up (Fisher’s exact t…

Catalyzing transcriptomics research in cardiovascular disease: The CardioRNA COST action CA17129

WOS: 000474931400001

Role of Ca2+-Activated K+ Channels on Adrenergic Responses of Human Saphenous Vein

Background We studied the participation of K + channels on the adrenergic responses in human saphenous veins as well as the intervention of dihydropyridine-sensitive Ca 2+ channels on modulation of adrenergic responses by K + channels blockade. Methods Saphenous vein rings were obtained from 40 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery. The vein rings were suspended in organ bath chambers for isometric recording of tension. Results Iberiotoxin (10 −7 mol/L), an inhibitor of large conductance Ca 2+ -activated K + channels, and charybdotoxin (10 −7 mol/L), an inhibitor of both large and intermediate conductance Ca 2+ -activated K + channels, enhanced the contractions elicited by elec…

Regulatory mechanisms of estrogen on vascular ageing

Women can be considered hemodynamically younger than men of the same age, based on epidemiological studies establishing that the incidence of vascular diseases in women is relatively lower compared to that in aged-matched men. However, after menopause, these numbers increase to values that are close to those found in men. Vascular ageing is associated with structural and functional changes of the vascular wall, including endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffening, and remodelling, as well as impaired angiogenesis, which become major risk factors in the development of cardiovascular disease.

Mas receptor is involved in the estrogen-receptor induced nitric oxide-dependent vasorelaxation.

The Mas receptor is involved in the angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) vasodilatory actions by increasing nitric oxide production (NO). We have previously demonstrated an increased production of Ang-(1-7) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) exposed to estradiol (E2), suggesting a potential cross-talk between E2 and the Ang-(1-7)/Mas receptor axis. Here, we explored whether the vasoactive response and NO-related signalling exerted by E2 are influenced by Mas. HUVEC were exposed to 10nM E2 for 24h in the presence or absence of the selective Mas receptor antagonist A779, and the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI182780 (ICI). E2 increased Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) …

Aging-related endothelial dysfunction in the aorta from female senescence-accelerated mice is associated with decreased nitric oxide synthase expression

The present study investigated the time-course for aging-associated effects on contractile and relaxing vascular responses and nitric oxide (NO) production in the aorta from female senescence-accelerated resistant (SAMR1) and prone (SAMP8) mice. Both SAMR1 and SAMP8 were studied at three different ages: 3 (young), 6 (middle age) and 10 (old) months. Concentration-response curves to phenylephrine (10(-8) to 10(-5) M) or acetylcholine (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) were performed in the aortic rings in the absence or in the presence of NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-NAME (10(-4) M). Protein and gene expression for endothelial NOS (eNOS) was determined by immunofluorescence, Western blot and real-time PC…

miRNA as New Regulatory Mechanism of Estrogen Vascular Action

The beneficial effects of estrogen on the cardiovascular system have been reported extensively. In fact, the incidence of cardiovascular diseases in women is lower than in age-matched men during their fertile stage of life, a benefit that disappears after menopause. These sex-related differences point to sexual hormones, mainly estrogen, as possible cardiovascular protective factors. The regulation of vascular function by estrogen is mainly related to the maintenance of normal endothelial function and is mediated by both direct and indirect gene transcription through the activity of specific estrogen receptors. Some of these mechanisms are known, but many remain to be elucidated. In recent …

Sex differences in epigenetics mechanisms of cardiovascular disease

Abstract The role of sex in cardiovascular physiology has been extensively studied and has a great impact on the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In the last years, epigenetic regulation of gene expression has been established as a new mechanism for the correct cardiovascular homeostasis, involving both sex chromosomes and sex hormones. A number of epigenetic modifiers are encoded on sex chromosomes, which can induce sex differences in somatic gene expression independently of hormonal differences. Otherwise, sex hormones are transcriptional regulators in their own right by acting as ligands for nuclear hormone receptors and therefore providing the phenotype of sex-associate…

Microparticles harbouring Sonic hedgehog morphogen improve the vasculogenesis capacity of endothelial progenitor cells derived from myocardial infarction patients

Aims Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) play a role in endothelium integrity maintenance and regeneration. Decreased numbers of EPC or their impaired function correlates with an increase in cardiovascular events. Thus, EPC are important predictors of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Microparticles carrying Sonic hedgehog (Shh) morphogen (MPShh+) trigger pro-angiogenic responses, both in endothelial cells and in ischaemic rodent models. Here, we propose that MPShh+ regulates EPC function, thus enhancing vasculogenesis, and correcting the defects in dysfunctional EPC obtained from acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. Methods and results The mechanisms underlying Shh pathway func…

With mouse age comes wisdom : a review and suggestions of relevant mouse models for age-related conditions

Ageing is a complex multifactorial process that results in many changes in physiological changes processes that ultimately increase susceptibility to a wide range of diseases. As such an ageing population is resulting in a pressing need for more and improved treatments across an assortment of diseases. Such treatments can come from a better understanding of the pathogenic pathways which, in turn, can be derived from models of disease. Therefore the more closely the model resembles the disease situation the more likely relevant the data will be that is generated from them. Here we review the state of knowledge of mouse models of a range of diseases and aspects of an ageing physiology that ar…

Decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide in aorta from ovariectomized senescent mice. Role of cyclooxygenase.

This study investigates the effects of aging and/or ovariectomy on vascular reactivity to thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor stimulation with U46619, and the modulation by nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase (COX) in aorta from female senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP8) and from senescence resistant mice (SAMR1). Five-month-old female SAMR1 and SAMP8 were divided into three groups: sham-operated, ovariectomized and ovariectomized plus estradiol. Twenty-eight days after surgery, thoracic aortic rings were mounted for isometric recording of tension and concentration-response curves for U46619 (10(-10)-3 × 10(-7) M) were performed in the absence and in the presence of the NO synthase inhibitor N(…

Effects of Estrogen on Vascular Inflammation

Objective— Our study aims to determine the role of time of menopause on vascular inflammation biomarkers and how it affects their modulation by estrogen and raloxifene in postmenopausal women. Methods and Results— Uterine arteries from 68 postmenopausal women were divided into 3 segments and cultured for 24 hours in tissue culture media containing 17β-estradiol (100 nmol/L), raloxifene (100 nmol/L), or vehicle. Assessment of arterial concentration of 13 inflammatory biomarkers was performed by multiplex immunobead-based assay. Aging per se has a positive correlation with the generation of several proinflammatory markers. Although short-term estradiol exposure correlates with lower expressi…

Dynamics of serum-induced endothelial cell apoptosis in patients with myocardial infarction

In patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) reperfused with primary coronary intervention (PCI), the dynamics of endothelial cell (EC) viability, apoptosis and necrosis and its relationship with the structural consequences on the left ventricle have not been addressed so far.In 20 STEMI patients, we incubated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with serum drawn before reperfusion and subsequently afterwards (24, 96 h, 30 days). Viability, apoptosis and necrosis percentages were evaluated by flow cytometry. Values were compared with 12 age- and sex-matched control subjects with normal coronary arteries. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed during…

Disparate miRNA expression in serum and plasma of patients with acute myocardial infarction: a systematic and paired comparative analysis

AbstractDespite the promising value of miRNAs in the diagnostic and prognostic of cardiovascular disease (CVD), recent meta-analyses did not support their potential. Methodological variances in studies may interfere with miRNA profile and affect their results. This study determines if the blood starting material is a source of variance in miRNA profile by performing a paired comparison in plasma and serum of the expression of primary miRNAs associated with CVD. Circulating miRNA yield was similar in both plasma and serum, although a significant increase was observed in patients with Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) compared to control volunteers. When normalized by the expres…

Progestogens reduce thromboxane production by cultured human endothelial cells.

Objectives Progestogens have been poorly studied concerning their roles in endothelial physiology. Prostanoids are vasoactive compounds, such as thromboxane A2, a potent vasoconstrictor, and prostacyclin, a vasodilator. We examined the effects of two progestogens used clinically, progesterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate, on thromboxane A2 production by cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and investigated the role of progesterone receptors and the enzymes involved in production of thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin. Methods Cells were exposed to 1‐100 nmol/l of either progesterone or medroxyprogesterone acetate, and thromboxane A2 production was measured in culture mediu…

Female Vascular Senescence

Long before the existence of cardiovascular imaging, Sir William Osler axiom that “man is as old as his arteries”. Followed by several physicians for decades, this aphorism has been widely confirmed by studies demonstrating that risk factors for cardiovascular disease increase as we age (Cooper et al., 1994; Lakatta & Levy, 2003). Nevertheless, a flaw in this statement is the generalization that men and women age similarly. Much data from clinical and basic research have established that vascular aging in women does not follow the same chronology as in men (Shaw et al., 2006; Pereira et al., 2010; Takenouchi et al., 2009). If known risk factors that influence cardiovascular aging are exclud…

Effects of asymmetric dimethylarginine on renal arteries in portal hypertension and cirrhosis

AIM. To evaluate the effects of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) in renal arteries from portal hypertensive and cirrhotic rats. METHODS. Rat renal arteries from Sham (n = 15), pre-hepatic portal hypertension (PPVL; n = 15) and bile duct ligation and excision-induced cirrhosis (BDL; n = 15) were precontracted with norepinephrine, and additional contractions were induced with ADMA (10-6-10-3 mol/L), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase. Concentration-response curves to acetylcholine (1 × 10-9-3 × 10-6 mol/L) were determined in precontracted renal artery segments with norepinephrine in the absence and in the presence of ADMA. Kidneys were collected to determine the protein e…

Role of miRNA in the Regulatory Mechanisms of Estrogens in Cardiovascular Ageing

Cardiovascular diseases are a worldwide health problem and are the leading cause of mortality in developed countries. Together with experimental data, the lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases in women than in men of reproductive age points to the influence of sex hormones at the cardiovascular level and suggests that estrogens play a protective role against cardiovascular disease and that this role is also modified by ageing. Estrogens affect cardiovascular function via their specific estrogen receptors to trigger gene expression changes at the transcriptional level. In addition, emerging studies have proposed a role for microRNAs in the vascular effects mediated by estrogens. miRNAs …

Regulatory network analysis in estradiol-treated human endothelial cells.

Background/Aims: Estrogen has been reported to have beneficial effects on vascular biology through direct actions on endothelium. Together with transcription factors, miRNAs are the major drivers of gene expression and signaling networks. The objective of this study was to identify a com-prehensive regulatory network (miRNA-transcription factor-downstream genes) that controls the transcriptomic changes observed in endothelial cells exposed to estradiol. Methods: miR-NA/mRNA interactions were assembled using our previous microarray data of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) treated with 17ß- Estradiol (E2) (1 nmol/lL, 24 h). miRNA--mRNA pairings and their associated canonical pat…

Mechanisms underlying the influence of oestrogen on cardiovascular physiology in women.

Women show a lower incidence of cardiovascular diseases than age-matched men, but this benefit disappears after menopause. Oestrogen-mediated vascular actions are mainly attributed to oestradiol and exerted by oestrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ and G protein-coupled oestrogen receptor), through rapid and/or genomic mechanisms, but these effects depend on ageing and inflammation. A cardiovascular approach in women's health has arisen due to controversy regarding oestrogen's beneficial impact as reported in experimental and observational studies and large randomized trials. These can be explained, in part, by two mutually non-exclusive hypotheses. On the one hand, the timing hypothesis, which stat…

Extracellular histones activate autophagy and apoptosis via mTOR signaling in human endothelial cells.

Circulating histones have been proposed as targets for therapy in sepsis and hyperinflammatory symptoms. However, the proposed strategies have failed in clinical trials. Although different mechanisms for histone-related cytotoxicity are being explored, those mediated by circulating histones are not fully understood. Extracellular histones induce endothelial cell death, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of complex diseases such as sepsis and septic shock. Therefore, the comprehension of cellular responses triggered by histones is capital to design effective therapeutic strategies. Here we report how extracellular histones induce autophagy and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in cu…

Estradiol selectively stimulates endothelial prostacyclin production through estrogen receptor-α

Estradiol (E2) acts on the endothelium to promote vasodilatation through the release of several compounds, including prostanoids, which are products of arachidonic acid metabolism. Among these, prostacyclin (PGI2) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) exert opposite effects on vascular tone. The role of different estrogen receptors (ERs) in the PGI2/TXA2 balance, however, has not been fully elucidated. Our study sought to uncover whether E2 enhances basal production of PGI2 or TXA2 in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), to analyze the enzymatic mechanisms involved, and to evaluate the different roles of both types of ERs (ERα and ERβ). HUVECs were exposed to E2, selective ERα (1,3…

Estradiol, acting through ERα, induces endothelial non-classic renin-angiotensin system increasing angiotensin 1–7 production

Intracellular renin-angiotensin system (RAS) can operate independently of the circulating RAS. Estrogens provide protective effects by modulating the RAS. Our aim was to investigate the effect of estradiol (E2) on angiotensin converting enzymes (ACE) 1 and ACE2 expression and activities in human endothelial cells (HUVEC), and the role of estrogen receptors (ER). The results confirmed the presence of active intracellular RAS in HUVEC. Physiological concentrations of E2 induced a concentration-dependent increase of ACE1 and ACE2 mRNA expression and ACE1, but not ACE2, protein levels. ACE1 and ACE2 enzymatic activities were also induced with E2. These effects were mediated through ERα activati…

Endothelial Progenitor Cells Predict Cardiovascular Events after Atherothrombotic Stroke and Acute Myocardial Infarction. A PROCELL Substudy.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine prognostic factors for the risk of new vascular events during the first 6 months after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or atherothrombotic stroke (AS). We were interested in the prognostic role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and circulating endothelial cells (CEC). METHODS: Between February 2009 and July 2012, 100 AMI and 50 AS patients were consecutively studied in three Spanish centres. Patients with previously documented coronary artery disease or ischemic strokes were excluded. Samples were collected within 24h of onset of symptoms. EPC and CEC were studied using flow cytometry and categorized by quartiles. Patients were foll…

Extracellular Histones Activate Endothelial NLRP3 Inflammasome and are Associated with a Severe Sepsis Phenotype

Jesús Beltrán-García,1– 3 Rebeca Osca-Verdegal,1,3 Daniel Pérez-Cremades,2,3 Susana Novella,2,3 Carlos Hermenegildo,2,3 Federico V Pallardó,1– 3 José Luis García-Giménez1– 3 1Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; 2Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain; 3Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Odontología, Universitat de València, València, SpainCorrespondence: José Luis García-Giménez, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Odontología, Universitat de València, València, 46010, Spain, Tel +34 963 864 646, Email j.luis.garcia@uv.esIntrod…

Complete blockade of the vasorelaxant effects of Ang-(1-7) and bradykinin in murine microvessels by antagonists of the receptor Mas.

The heptapeptide angiotensin-(1-7) is a biologically active metabolite of angiotensin II, the predominant peptide of the renin-angiotensin system. Recently, we have shown that the receptor Mas is associated with angiotensin-(1-7)-induced signalling and mediates, at least in part, the vasodilatory properties of angiotensin-(1-7). However, it remained controversial whether an additional receptor could account for angiotensin-(1-7)-induced vasorelaxation. Here, we used two different angiotensin-(1-7) antagonists, A779 and d-Pro-angiotensin-(1-7), to address this question and also to study their influence on the vasodilatation induced by bradykinin. Isolated mesenteric microvessels from both wi…

Gathering of aging and estrogen withdrawal in vascular dysfunction of senescent accelerated mice.

The aim of this work was to characterize a mouse model of experimental menopause and cardiovascular aging that closely reflects menopause in women. Senescence accelerated mouse (SAM)-Resistant type 1 (SAMR1, n=30) and SAM-Prone type 8 (SAMP8, n=30) were separated at 5months of age into three groups: 1) sham-operated (Sham); 2) ovariectomized (Ovx); and 3) ovariectomized chronically-treated with estrogen (Ovx+E2). Contractile responses to KCl (60mM) and thromboxane A(2) were greater in aorta from SAMP8 mice compared with SAMR1 in all groups. Neither ovariectomy nor estrogen replacement modified the contractile responses from SAMR1 mice. Conversely, in Ovx SAMP8 the increased maximal contract…

Approaching Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Non-Coding RNA Research

International audience; Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the biggest cause of sickness and mortality worldwide in both males and females. Clinical statistics demonstrate clear sex differences in risk, prevalence, mortality rates, and response to treatment for different entities of CVD. The reason for this remains poorly understood. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as key mediators and biomarkers of CVD. Similarly, current knowledge on differential regulation, expression, and pathology-associated function of ncRNAs between sexes is minimal. Here, we provide a state-of-the-art overview of what is known on sex differences in ncRNA research in CVD as well as discussing the contributing biol…

Mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells in acute cardiovascular events in the PROCELL study: Time-course after acute myocardial infarction and stroke

The mobilization pattern and functionality of endothelial progenitor cells after an acute ischemic event remain largely unknown. The aim of our study was to characterize and compare the short- and long-term mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells and circulating endothelial cells after acute myocardial infarction or atherothrombotic stroke, and to determine the relationship between these cell counts and plasma concentrations of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) and Von Willebrand factor (VWF) as surrogate markers of endothelial damage and inflammation. In addition, we assessed whether endothelial progenitor cells behave like functional endothelial cells. We included 150 patients…