Dysfunction of endothelium-dependent relaxation to insulin via PKC-mediated GRK2/Akt activation in aortas of ob/ob mice

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (2) ◽  
pp. H571-H583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumiko Taguchi ◽  
Tsuneo Kobayashi ◽  
Takayuki Matsumoto ◽  
Katsuo Kamata

In diabetic states, hyperinsulinemia may negatively regulate Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation. Our main aim was to investigate whether and how insulin might negatively regulate Akt/eNOS activities via G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) in aortas from ob/ob mice. Endothelium-dependent relaxation was measured in aortic rings from ob/ob mice (a type 2 diabetes model). GRK2, β-arrestin2, and Akt/eNOS signaling-pathway protein levels and activities were mainly assayed by Western blotting. Plasma insulin was significantly elevated in ob/ob mice. Insulin-induced relaxation was significantly decreased in the ob/ob aortas [vs. age-matched control (lean) ones]. The response in ob/ob aortas was enhanced by PKC inhibitor or GRK2 inhibitor. Akt (at Thr308) phosphorylation and eNOS (at Ser1177) phosphorylation, and also the β-arrestin2 protein level, were markedly decreased in the membrane fraction of insulin-stimulated ob/ob aortas (vs. insulin-stimulated lean ones). These membrane-fraction expressions were enhanced by GRK2 inhibitor and by PKC inhibitor in the ob/ob group but not in the lean group. PKC activity was much greater in ob/ob than in lean aortas. GRK2 protein and activity levels were increased in ob/ob and were greatly reduced by GRK2 inhibitor or PKC inhibitor pretreatment. These results suggest that in the aorta in diabetic mice with hyperinsulinemia an upregulation of GRK2 and a decrease in β-arrestin2 inhibit insulin-induced stimulation of the Akt/eNOS pathway and that GRK2 overactivation may result from an increase in PKC activity.

Hypertension ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 880-884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukihiro Takemura ◽  
Keisuke Fukuo ◽  
Osamu Yasuda ◽  
Takahito Inoue ◽  
Norio Inomata ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 294 (3) ◽  
pp. L582-L591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neetu Sud ◽  
Stephen Wedgwood ◽  
Stephen M. Black

In this study, we explore the roles of the delta isoform of PKC (PKCδ) in the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells isolated from fetal lambs (FPAECs). Pharmacological inhibition of PKCδ with either rottlerin or with the peptide, δV1-1, acutely attenuated NO production, and this was associated with a decrease in phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1177 (S1177). The chronic effects of PKCδ inhibition using either rottlerin or the overexpression of a dominant negative PKCδ mutant included the downregulation of eNOS gene expression that was manifested by a decrease in both eNOS promoter activity and protein expression after 24 h of treatment. We also found that PKCδ inhibition blunted Akt activation as observed by a reduction in phosphorylated Akt at position Ser473. Thus, we conclude that PKCδ is actively involved in the activation of Akt. To determine the effect of Akt on eNOS signaling, we overexpressed a dominant negative mutant of Akt and determined its effect of NO generation, eNOS expression, and phosphorylation of eNOS at S1177. Our results demonstrated that Akt inhibition was associated with decreased NO production that correlated with reduced phosphorylation of eNOS at S1177, and decreased eNOS promoter activity. We next evaluated the effect of endogenously produced NO on eNOS expression by incubating FPAECs with the eNOS inhibitor 2-ethyl-2-thiopseudourea (ETU). ETU significantly inhibited NO production, eNOS promoter activity, and eNOS protein levels. Together, our data indicate involvement of PKCδ-mediated Akt activation and NO generation in maintaining eNOS expression.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuangxi Wang ◽  
Jian Xu ◽  
Ping Song ◽  
Yong Wu ◽  
Junhua Zhang ◽  
...  

Objective: GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GTPCH1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in de novo synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), an essential cofactor for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) dictating at least partly, the balance of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O 2 .− ) produced by this enzyme. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of acute inhibition of GTPCH1 on BH4, eNOS function, and blood pressure. Methods: The biopterin content was detected by HPLC. O 2 .− and NO productions were assayed by using DHE and DAF fluorescence respectively. The vessel relaxation was assayed by organ chamber. The blood pressure in wild-type (WT) or eNOS −/− mice was determined by a carotid catheter method. Results: Exposure of bovine or mouse aortic endothelial cells to GTPCH1 inhibitors (10 mM DAHP or 1 mM NAS) for 24 hours or GTPCH1 siRNA transfection significantly reduced both BH4 and NO levels, but increased O 2 .− levels. This increase was abolished by 10 μM L-sepiapterin (BH4 precursor) or 1 mM L-NAME (non-selective NOS inhibitor). Incubation of isolated WT mice aortas with DAHP or NAS for 24 hours impaired acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, but not endothelium-independent relaxation. Aortas from GTPCH1 siRNA-injected mice, but not their control-siRNA injected mice, also exhibited impaired endothelium-dependent relaxation. Furthermore, GT-PCH1 siRNA injection in mice reduced BH4 levels in aortas, associated with increased aortic levels of O 2 .− , 3-nitrotyrosine, and adhesion molecules (ICAM1 and VCAM1). In addition, an elevated mean, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure was induced by GTPCH1 siRNA injection in vivo , but not control siRNA (mean blood pressure: 114.28±4.48 vs . 136.81±2.45 mmHg) in WT mice. GTPCH1 siRNA was unable to elicit the similar effects in eNOS −/− mice, including increased oxidative stress (O 2 .− , 3-nitrotyrosine, ICAM1, VCAM1) and blood pressure. Finally, sepiapterin supplementation, which had no effect on high blood pressure in eNOS −/− mice, partially reversed GTPCH1 siRNA-induced elevation of systemic blood pressure in WT mice. Conclusion: GTPCH1 via BH4 maintains normal blood pressure and endothelial function by preserving eNOS-dependent NO biosynthesis. This research has received full or partial funding support from the American Heart Association, AHA South Central Affiliate (Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas).


2002 ◽  
Vol 283 (3) ◽  
pp. H893-H898 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Armstrong ◽  
Yunlong Zhang ◽  
Ken G. Stewart ◽  
Sandra T. Davidge

The reduction in estrogen in postmenopausal women contributes to an increase in vascular dysfunction. Models of aging have shown that this is due, in part, to increased prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS)-dependent vasoconstriction. We showed previously that inducible PGHS-2-dependent vasoconstriction is increased with aging. In the present study, we hypothesized that estrogen suppresses PGHS-2-dependent constriction in the aged rat. Isolated mesenteric arteries from placebo- or estrogen-treated, ovariectomized aged (24 mo) Fisher rats were assessed for endothelium-dependent relaxation in the absence or presence of PGHS inhibitors. PGHS inhibition (meclofenamate, 1 μmol/l) enhanced methacholine-induced relaxation only in the placebo group. Specific PGHS-2 inhibition (NS-398, 10 μmol/l) increased arterial relaxation to a greater extent than PGHS-1 inhibition (valeryl salicylate, 3 mmol/l). Estrogen prevented the PGHS-dependent constrictor effect but did not enhance nitric oxide-dependent relaxation in this model. PGHS-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase were not altered by estrogen, whereas PGHS-2 expression was decreased in the estrogen-replaced rats ( P < 0.05). In summary, estrogen replacement improved vasodilation in aged rats by decreasing PGHS-dependent constriction.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salah A. Mohamed ◽  
Arlo Radtke ◽  
Roza Saraei ◽  
Joern Bullerdiek ◽  
Hajar Sorani ◽  
...  

Aims. Dysregulated expression of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is observed in aortic aneurysms associated with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV). We determined eNOS protein levels in various areas in ascending aortic aneurysms.Methods and Results. Aneurysmal specimens were collected from 19 patients, 14 with BAV and 5 with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). ENOS protein levels were measured in the outer curve (convexity), the opposite side (concavity), the distal and above the sinotubular junction (proximal) aneurysm. Cultured aortic cells were treated with NO synthesis inhibitor L-NAME and the amounts of 35 apoptosis-related proteins were determined. In patients with BAV, eNOS levels were significantly lower in the proximal aorta than in the concavity and distal aorta. ENOS protein levels were also lower in the convexity than in the concavity. While the convexity and distal aorta showed similar eNOS protein levels in BAV and TAV patients, levels were higher in TAV proximal aorta. Inhibition of NO synthesis in aneurysmal aortic cells by L-NAME led to a cytosolic increase in the levels of mitochondrial serine protease HTRA2/Omi.Conclusion. ENOS protein levels were varied at different areas of the aneurysmal aorta. The dysregulation of nitric oxide can lead to an increase in proapoptotic HTRA2/Omi.


2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (3) ◽  
pp. H1165-H1176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takayuki Matsumoto ◽  
Eri Noguchi ◽  
Keiko Ishida ◽  
Tsuneo Kobayashi ◽  
Nobuhiro Yamada ◽  
...  

We previously reported that in mesenteric arteries from aged Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats (a type 2 diabetes model) endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF)-type relaxation is impaired while endothelium-derived contracting factor (EDCF)-mediated contraction is enhanced (Matsumoto T, Kakami M, Noguchi E, Kobayashi T, Kamata K. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 293: H1480–H1490, 2007). Here we investigated whether acute and/or chronic treatment with metformin might improve this imbalance between the effects of the above endothelium-derived factors in mesenteric arteries isolated from OLETF rats. In acute studies on OLETF mesenteric arteries, ACh-induced relaxation was impaired and the relaxation became weaker at high ACh concentrations. Both metformin and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside [AICAR, an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator that is also activated by metformin] 1) diminished the tendency for the relaxation to reverse at high ACh concentrations and 2) suppressed both ACh-induced EDCF-mediated contraction and ACh-stimulated production of prostanoids (thromboxane A2 and PGE2). In studies on OLETF arteries from chronically treated animals, metformin treatment (300 mg·kg−1·day−1 for 4 wk) 1) improved ACh-induced nitric oxide- or EDHF-mediated relaxation and cyclooxygenase (COX)-mediated contraction, 2) reduced EDCF-mediated contraction, 3) suppressed production of prostanoids, and 4) reduced superoxide generation. Metformin did not alter the protein expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phospho-eNOS (Ser1177), or COX-1, but it increased COX-2 protein. These results suggest that metformin improves endothelial functions in OLETF mesenteric arteries by suppressing vasoconstrictor prostanoids and by reducing oxidative stress. Our data suggest that within the timescale studied here, metformin improves endothelial function through this direct mechanism, rather than by improving metabolic abnormalities.


2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 1131-1134 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.A. Insel ◽  
B.P. Head ◽  
H.H. Patel ◽  
D.M. Roth ◽  
R.A. Bundey ◽  
...  

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and post-GPCR signalling components are expressed at low overall abundance in plasma membranes, yet they evoke rapid, high-fidelity responses. Considerable evidence suggests that GPCR signalling components are organized together in membrane microdomains, in particular lipid rafts, enriched in cholesterol and sphingolipids, and caveolae, a subset of lipid rafts that also possess the protein caveolin, whose scaffolding domain may serve as an anchor for signalling components. Caveolae were originally identified based on their morphological appearance but their role in compartmentation of GPCR signalling has been primarily studied by biochemical techniques, such as subcellular fractionation and immunoprecipitation. Our recent studies obtained using both microscopic and biochemical methods with adult cardiac myocytes show expression of caveolin not only in surface sarcolemmal domains but also at, or close to, internal regions located at transverse tubules/sarcoplasmic reticulum. Other results show co-localization in lipid rafts/caveolae of AC (adenylyl cyclase), in particular AC6, certain GPCRs, G-proteins and eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase; NOS3), which generates NO, a modulator of AC6. Existence of multiple caveolin-rich microdomains and their expression of multiple modulators of signalling strengthen the evidence that caveolins and lipid rafts/caveolae organize and regulate GPCR signal transduction in eukaryotic cells.


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