Angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy is potentiated in mice overexpressing p22phox in vascular smooth muscle

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (1) ◽  
pp. H37-H42 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Weber ◽  
Petra Rocic ◽  
Adamantios M. Mellis ◽  
Karine Laude ◽  
Alicia N. Lyle ◽  
...  

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in several vascular pathologies associated with vascular smooth muscle hypertrophy. In the current studies, we utilized transgenic (Tg) mice (Tg p22smc) that overexpress the p22 phox subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase selectively in smooth muscle. These mice have a twofold increase in aortic p22 phox expression and H2O2 production and thus provide an excellent in vivo model in which to assess the effects of increased ROS generation on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function. We tested the hypothesis that overexpression of VSMC p22 phox potentiates angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced vascular hypertrophy. Male Tg p22smc mice and negative littermate controls were infused with either ANG II or saline for 13 days. Baseline blood pressure was not different between control and Tg p22smc mice. ANG II significantly increased blood pressure in both groups, with this increase being slightly exacerbated in the Tg p22smc mice. Baseline aortic wall thickness and cross-sectional wall area were not different between control and Tg p22smc mice. Importantly, the ANG II-induced increase in both parameters was significantly greater in the Tg p22smc mice compared with control mice. To confirm that this potentiation of vascular hypertrophy was due to increased ROS levels, additional groups of mice were coinfused with ebselen. This treatment prevented the exacerbation of hypertrophy in Tg p22smc mice receiving ANG II. These data suggest that although increased availability of NAD(P)H oxidase-derived ROS is not a sufficient stimulus for hypertrophy, it does potentiate ANG II-induced vascular hypertrophy, making ROS an excellent target for intervention aimed at reducing medial thickening in vivo.

2005 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna CASTOLDI ◽  
Serena REDAELLI ◽  
Willy M. M. van de GREEF ◽  
Cira R. T. di GIOIA ◽  
Giuseppe BUSCA ◽  
...  

Ang II (angiotensin II) has multiple effects on vascular smooth muscle cells through the modulation of different classes of genes. Using the mRNA differential-display method to investigate gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture in response to 3 h of Ang II stimulation, we observed that Ang II down-regulated the expression of a member of the family of transmembrane receptors for Wnt proteins that was identified as Fzd2 [Fzd (frizzled)-2 receptor]. Fzds are a class of highly conserved genes playing a fundamental role in the developmental processes. In vitro, time course experiments demonstrated that Ang II induced a significant increase (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression after 30 min, whereas it caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression at 3 h. A similar rapid up-regulation after Ang II stimulation for 30 min was evident for TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1; P<0.05). To investigate whether Ang II also modulated Fzd2 expression in vivo, exogenous Ang II was administered to Sprague–Dawley rats (200 ng·kg−1 of body weight·min−1; subcutaneously) for 1 and 4 weeks. Control rats received normal saline. After treatment, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher (P<0.01), whereas plasma renin activity was suppressed (P<0.01) in Ang II- compared with the saline-treated rats. Ang II administration for 1 week did not modify Fzd2 expression in aorta of Ang II-treated rats, whereas Ang II administration for 4 weeks increased Fzd2 mRNA expression (P<0.05) in the tunica media of the aorta, resulting in a positive immunostaining for fibronectin at this time point. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that Ang II modulates Fzd2 expression in aortic smooth muscle cells both in vitro and in vivo.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 4525
Author(s):  
Amanda St. Paul ◽  
Cali B. Corbett ◽  
Rachael Okune ◽  
Michael V. Autieri

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western and developing world, and the incidence of cardiovascular disease is increasing with the longer lifespan afforded by our modern lifestyle. Vascular diseases including coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke comprise the majority of cardiovascular diseases, and therefore represent a significant medical and socioeconomic burden on our society. It may not be surprising that these conditions overlap and potentiate each other when we consider the many cellular and molecular similarities between them. These intersecting points are manifested in clinical studies in which lipid lowering therapies reduce blood pressure, and anti-hypertensive medications reduce atherosclerotic plaque. At the molecular level, the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) is the target, integrator, and effector cell of both atherogenic and the major effector protein of the hypertensive signal Angiotensin II (Ang II). Together, these signals can potentiate each other and prime the artery and exacerbate hypertension and atherosclerosis. Therefore, VSMCs are the fulcrum in progression of these diseases and, therefore, understanding the effects of atherogenic stimuli and Ang II on the VSMC is key to understanding and treating atherosclerosis and hypertension. In this review, we will examine studies in which hypertension and atherosclerosis intersect on the VSMC, and illustrate common pathways between these two diseases and vascular aging.


2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhian M Touyz ◽  
Guoying Yao ◽  
Ernesto L Schiffrin

Angiotensin II (Ang II) regulates vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function by activating signaling cascades that promote vasoconstriction, growth, and inflammation. Subcellular mechanisms coordinating these processes are unclear. In the present study, we questioned the role of the actin cytoskeleton in Ang II mediated signaling through mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in VSMCs. Human VSMCs were studied. Cells were exposed to Ang II (10–7 mol/L) in the absence and presence of cytochalasin B (10–6 mol/L, 60 min), which disrupts the actin cytoskeleton. Phosphorylation of p38MAP kinase, JNK, and ERK1/2 was assessed by immuno blotting. ROS generation was measured using the fluoroprobe chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (4 µmol/L). Interaction between the cytoskeleton and NADPH oxidase was determined by evaluating the presence of p47phox in the Triton X-100 insoluble membrane fraction. Ang II significantly increased phosphorylation of p38MAP kinase, JNK, and ERK1/2 (two- to threefold above control, p < 0.05). Cytochalasin B pretreatment attenuated p38MAP kinase and JNK effects (p < 0.05) without altering ERK1/2 phosphorylation. ROS formation, which was increased in Ang II stimulated cells, was significantly reduced by cytochalasin B (p < 0.01). p47phox, critically involved in NADPH oxidase activation, colocalized with the actin cytoskeleton in Ang II stimulated cells. Our data demonstrate that Ang II mediated ROS formation and activation of p38MAP kinase and JNK, but not ERK1/2, involves the actin cytoskeleton in VSMCs. In addition, Ang II promotes interaction between actin and p47phox. These data indicate that the cytoskeleton is involved in differential MAP kinase signaling and ROS generation by Ang II in VSMCs. Together, these studies suggest that the cytoskeleton may be a central point of crosstalk in growth- and redox-signaling pathways by Ang II, which may be important in the regulation of VSMC function.Key words: superoxide, NADPH oxidase, p38MAP kinase, JNK, ERK1/2.


2015 ◽  
Vol 130 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Schreier ◽  
Mirja Hünerberg ◽  
Sindy Rabe ◽  
Sigrid Mildenberger ◽  
Daniel Bethmann ◽  
...  

In the present study we demonstrate that the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is involved in basal blood pressure homoeostasis, acute pressure response to angiotensin II (Ang II) but not endothelin-1 and contributes to maturation-related remodelling.


Hypertension ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J Fehrenbach ◽  
Meena S Madhur

Hypertension, or an elevated blood pressure, is the primary modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of mortality worldwide. We previously demonstrated that Th17 activation and interleukin 17A (IL-17A)/IL-21 production is integral for the full development of a hypertensive phenotype as well as the renal and vascular damage associated with hypertension. Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein Kinase 2 (ROCK2) serves as a molecular switch upregulating Th17 and inhibiting regulatory T cell (Treg) differentiation. We hypothesize that hypertension is characterized by excessive T cell ROCK2 activation leading to increased Th17/Treg ratios and ultimately end-organ damage. We first showed in vitro that KD025, an experimental orally bioavailable ROCK2 inhibitor inhibits Th17 cell proliferation and IL-17A/IL-21 production. To determine if hypertensive stimuli such as endothelial stretch increases T cell ROCK2 expression, we cultured human aortic endothelial cells exposed to 5% (normotensive) or 10% (hypertensive) stretch with circulating human T cells and HLA-DR+ antigen presenting cells. Hypertensive stretch increased T cell ROCK2 expression 2-fold. We then tested the effect of ROCK2 inhibition with KD025 (50mg/kg i.p. daily) in vivo on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension. Treatment with KD025 significantly attenuated the hypertensive response within 1 week of Ang II treatment (systolic blood pressure: 139± 8 vs 108±7mmHg) and this persisted for the duration of the 4 week study reaching blood pressures 20 mmHg lower (135±13mmHg) than vehicle treated mice (158±4mmHg p<0.05 effect of treatment 2-way Repeated Measures ANOVA). Flow cytometric analysis of tissue infiltrating leukocytes revealed that KD025 treatment increased Treg/Th17 ratios in the kidney (0.61±0.03 vs 0.79±0.08, p<0.05 student’s t-test). Thus, T cell ROCK2 may be a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of hypertension.


2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (7) ◽  
pp. H861-H872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujia Wang ◽  
Zenghui Wu ◽  
Eric Thorin ◽  
Johanne Tremblay ◽  
Julie L. Lavoie ◽  
...  

EPH kinases and their ligands, ephrins (EFNs), have vital and diverse biological functions, although their function in blood pressure (BP) control has not been studied in detail. In the present study, we report that Efnb3 gene knockout (KO) led to increased BP in female but not male mice. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were target cells for EFNB3 function in BP regulation. The deletion of EFNB3 augmented contractility of VSMCs from female but not male KO mice, compared with their wild-type (WT) counterparts. Estrogen augmented VSMC contractility while testosterone reduced it in the absence of EFNB3, although these sex hormones had no effect on the contractility of VSMCs from WT mice. The effect of estrogen on KO VSMC contractility was via a nongenomic pathway involving GPER, while that of testosterone was likely via a genomic pathway, according to VSMC contractility assays and GPER knockdown assays. The sex hormone-dependent contraction phenotypes in KO VSMCs were reflected in BP in vivo. Ovariectomy rendered female KO mice normotensive. At the molecular level, EFNB3 KO in VSMCs resulted in reduced myosin light chain kinase phosphorylation, an event enhancing sensitivity to Ca2+ flux in VSMCs. Our investigation has revealed previously unknown EFNB3 functions in BP regulation and show that EFNB3 might be a hypertension risk gene in certain individuals.


1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (5) ◽  
pp. C849-C854 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Linas ◽  
R. Marzec-Calvert ◽  
M. E. Ullian

Dietary K depletion (KD) results in increases in the number of angiotensin II (ANG II) receptors and prevents ANG II-induced downregulation of ANG II receptors in membrane preparations of vessels from KD animals. Because dietary KD results in changes in factors other than K, we K depleted vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) in culture to determine the specific effects of KD on ANG II receptor expression and processing. Scatchard analysis of ANG II uptake at 4 degrees C revealed that the number of surface receptors was increased by 37% in cells in which K had been reduced by 45%. This increase also occurred in the presence of cycloheximide. To determine the effect of KD on receptor processing, we measured the number of surface receptors after exposure to ANG II in concentrations sufficient to cause down-regulation. After 30-min exposure to ANG II, the number of surface receptors was reduced by 63% in control cells but only 33% in KD cells. Thirty minutes after withdrawing ANG II, surface binding returned to basal levels in control cells but was still reduced by 20% in KD cells. To determine the functional significance of impaired receptor processing, we measured ANG II uptake at 21 degrees C. Uptake at 21 degrees C depends on the functional number of receptors, i.e., the absolute number of surface receptors and the rate at which receptors are recycled to the surface after ANG II binding. ANG II uptake at 21 degrees C was reduced by 50% in KD cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunzhao Yang ◽  
Shaoqun Tang ◽  
Chunchun Zhai ◽  
Xin Zeng ◽  
Qingjian Liu ◽  
...  

Background. Multiple interleukin (IL) family members were reported to be closely related to hypertension. We aimed to investigate whether IL-9 affects angiotensin II- (Ang II-) induced hypertension in mice. Methods. Mice were treated with Ang II, and IL-9 expression was determined. In addition, effects of IL-9 knockout (KO) on blood pressure were observed in Ang II-infused mice. To determine whether the effects of IL-9 on blood pressure was mediated by the signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, Ang II-treated mice were given S31-201. Furthermore, circulating IL-9 levels in patients with hypertension were measured. Results. Ang II treatment increased serum and aortic IL-9 expression in a dose-dependent manner; IL-9 levels were the highest in the second week and continued to remain high into the fourth week after the treatment. IL-9 KO downregulated proinflammatory cytokine expression, whereas it upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, relieved vascular dysfunction, and decreased blood pressure in Ang II-infused mice. IL-9 also reduced smooth muscle 22α (SM22α) expression and increased osteopontin (OPN) levels both in mice and in vitro. The effects of IL-9 KO on blood pressure and inflammatory response were significantly reduced by S31-201 treatment. Circulating IL-9 levels were significantly increased in patients with the hypertension group than in the control group, and elevated IL-9 levels positively correlated with both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Conclusions. IL-9 KO alleviates inflammatory response, prevents phenotypic transformation of smooth muscle, reduces vascular dysfunction, and lowers blood pressure via the STAT3 pathway in Ang II-infused mice. IL-9 might be a novel target for the treatment and prevention of clinical hypertension.


1994 ◽  
Vol 266 (5) ◽  
pp. C1406-C1420 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. S. Dixon ◽  
R. V. Sharma ◽  
T. Dickerson ◽  
J. Fortune

The effects of bradykinin (BK) and angiotensin II (ANG II) were compared in cultured rat mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells. BK and ANG II activated a phosphoinositide-specific phospholipase C, leading to the rapid release of [3H]inositol phosphates, an increase in intracellular calcium, and formation of sn-1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG). DAG formation was biphasic with a transient peak at 5 s followed by a sustained increase from 60 to 600 s. The BK-mediated increases in inositol triphosphate and DAG were dose dependent with half-maximal increases at concentrations of 5 and 2 nM, respectively. Both hormones were found to activate protein kinase C (PKC) as assessed by phosphorylation of the 68- to 72-kDa intracellular PKC substrate myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate. However, despite similar phosphorylation of this substrate, only ANG II produced a significant increase in membrane-bound PKC activity. The mechanism accounting for the inability of BK to increase membrane-bound PKC activity is unclear. Our studies excluded differential translocation of PKC to the nuclear membrane, production of an inhibitor of membrane-bound PKC activity, and expression of BK and ANG II receptors on different cells as the mechanism. Vascular smooth muscle cells were found to express at least four different PKC isozymes: alpha, delta, zeta, and a faint band for epsilon. All of the isozymes except zeta-PKC were translocated by treatment with the phorbol ester 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. However, neither ANG II nor BK produced significant translocation of any measured isozyme; therefore, we could not exclude the possibility that ANG II and BK activate different isozymes of PKC. Both hormones were found to have a similar small and inconsistent effect in stimulating [3H]thymidine incorporation. These observations demonstrate that BK and ANG II have similar biochemical effects on vascular smooth muscle cells and imply that, in selected vessels, the vasodilatory effects of BK mediated by the endothelium may be partially counterbalanced by a vasoconstrictor effect on the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells.


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