We have previously reported that depletion Cyclophilin D (CypD), a regulatory subunit of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, improves vascular function and attenuates hypertension, however, specific regulation of CypD in hypertension is not clear. Analysis of human arterioles from hypertensive patients did not reveal alterations in CypD levels but showed 3-fold increase in CypD acetylation. We hypothesized that CypD-K166 acetylation promotes vascular oxidative stress and hypertension, and measures to reduce CypD acetylation can improve vascular function and reduce hypertension. Essential hypertension and animal models of hypertension are linked to inactivation of mitochondrial deacetylase Sirt3 by highly reactive lipid oxidation products, isolevuglandins (isoLGs), and supplementation of mice with mitochondria targeted scavenger of isoLGs, mito2HOBA, improves CypD deacetylation. To test the specific role of CypD-K166 acetylation, we developed CypD-K166R deacetylation mimic mutant mice. Mitochondrial respiration, vascular function and systolic blood pressure in CypD-K166R mice was similar to wild-type C57Bl/6J mice. Meanwhile, angiotensin II-induced hypertension was substantially attenuated in CypD-K166R mice (144 mmHg) compared with wild-type mice (161 mmHg). Angiotensin II infusion in wild-type mice significantly increased mitochondrial superoxide, impaired endothelial dependent relaxation, and reduced the level of endothelial nitric oxide which was prevented in angiotensin II-infused CypD-K166R mice. Hypertension is linked to increased levels of inflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-17A promoting vascular oxidative stress and end-organ damage. We have tested if CypD-K166R mice are protected from cytokine-induced oxidative stress. Indeed,
ex vivo
incubation of aorta with the mixture of angiotensin II, TNFα and IL-17A (24 hours) increased mitochondrial superoxide by 2-fold in wild-type aortas which was abrogated in CypD-K166R mice. These data support the pathophysiological role of CypD acetylation in inflammation, oxidative stress and hypertensive end-organ damage. We propose that targeting CypD acetylation may have therapeutic potential in treatment of vascular dysfunction and hypertension.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Role of Oxidative Stress and Blood Vessels
