Angiotensin II causes nitric oxide synthase 3 uncoupling in the thick ascending limb

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) acutely inhibits NaCl reabsorption by the thick ascending limb (THAL) by activating the ETB receptor, stimulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and releasing nitric oxide (NO). In nonrenal tissue, chronic exposure to ET-1 stimulates eNOS expression via the ETB receptor and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). We hypothesized that ET-1 increases eNOS expression in the THAL by binding to ETB receptors and stimulating PI3K. In primary cultures of medullary THALs treated for 24 h, eNOS expression increased by 36 ± 18% with 0.01 nM ET-1, 123 ± 30% with 0.1 nM ( P < 0.05; n = 5), and 71 ± 30% with 1 nM, whereas 10 nM had no effect. BQ-788, a selective ETB receptor antagonist, completely blocked stimulation of eNOS expression caused by 0.1 nM ET-1 (12 ± 25 vs. 120 ± 40% for ET-1 alone; P < 0.05; n = 5). BQ-123, a selective ETA receptor antagonist, did not affect the increase in eNOS caused by 0.1 nM ET-1. Sarafotoxin c (S6c; 0.1 μM), a selective ETB receptor agonist, increased eNOS expression by 77 ± 30% ( P < 0.05; n = 6). Wortmannin (0.01 μM), a PI3K inhibitor, completely blocked the stimulatory effect of 0.1 μM S6c (77 ± 30 vs. −28 ± 9%; P < 0.05; n = 6). To test whether the increase in eNOS expression heightens activity, we measured NO release in response to simultaneous treatment with l-arginine, ionomycin, and clonidine using a NO-sensitive electrode. NO release by control cells was 337 ± 61 and 690 ± 126 pA in ET-1-treated cells ( P < 0.05; n = 5). Taken together, these data suggest that ET-1 stimulates THAL eNOS, activating ETB receptors and PI3K and thereby increasing NO production.

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Effects of lipoproteins from pre-eclamptic women on umbilical endothelial cell 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1α and endothelin 1 synthesis, and nitric oxide synthase 3 mRNA expression

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs0970697 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 97 (6) ◽

pp. 697-706 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. BARDEN ◽

L. J. BEILIN ◽

K. BOTH ◽

J. RITCHIE ◽

P. LEEDMAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nitric Oxide ◽

Endothelial Cell ◽

Nitric Oxide Synthase ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Low Density Lipoprotein ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Low Density ◽

Endothelin 1 ◽

Nitric Oxide Synthase 3 ◽

Oxide Synthase

In order to evaluate whether lipid abnormalities may contribute to endothelial dysfunction in pre-eclampsia, the present study examined the in vitro effects of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), isolated from women with pre-eclampsia and matched controls, on the endothelial synthesis of 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1α (6-oxo-PGF1α; a metabolite of prostacyclin) and endothelin 1, and on the expression of nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) mRNA. VLDL, LDL and HDL cholesterol were isolated from 20 pre-eclamptic and 20 age- and gestation-matched normal pregnant women. The lipoproteins (50 μg/ml) and lipoprotein-free control plasma were incubated for 1, 3 and 6 h at 37 °C with a human umbilical endothelial cell line. The synthesis of 6-oxo-PGF1α and endothelin 1, and NOS3 mRNA expression, were measured at each time point. VLDL from pre-eclamptic women stimulated endothelial cell 6-oxo-PGF1α synthesis to a lesser extent than that from normal pregnant women (P< 0.05). LDL from women with pre-eclampsia also stimulated 6-oxo-PGF1α synthesis to a lesser extent than LDL from normal pregnant women, but the effect was less sustained. The effect of HDL from women with pre-eclampsia on 6-oxo-PGF1α synthesis was similar to that of HDL from normal pregnant women. The pre-incubation levels of lipid peroxides in VLDL and LDL were not different between the normal pregnant and pre-eclamptic women, and cannot account for the decrease in 6-oxo-PGF1α synthesis. VLDL, LDL and HDL from women with pre-eclampsia did not affect endothelial cell synthesis of endothelin 1 or expression of NOS3 mRNA differently from lipoproteins from normal pregnant women. This study suggests that VLDL, and to a lesser extent LDL, from women with pre-eclampsia could potentially contribute to the reduced systemic 6-oxo-PGF1α synthesis observed in the pre-eclamptic syndrome.

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