Maintained upregulation of pulmonary eNOS gene and protein expression during recovery from chronic hypoxia

1999 ◽  
Vol 276 (2) ◽  
pp. H699-H708 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C. Resta ◽  
Louis G. Chicoine ◽  
John L. Omdahl ◽  
Benjimen R. Walker

We previously demonstrated augmented endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO)-dependent pulmonary arterial dilation and increased arterial endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) levels in chronic hypoxic (CH) and monocrotaline (nonhypoxic) models of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Therefore, we hypothesized that the long-term elevation of arterial eNOS levels associated with CH is related to pulmonary hypertension or some factor(s) associated with hypertension and not directly to hypoxia. To test this hypothesis, we examined responses to the EDNO-dependent dilator ionomycin in U-46619-constricted, isolated, saline-perfused lungs from control rats, CH (4 wk at 380 mmHg) rats, and rats previously exposed to CH but returned to normoxia for 4 days or 2 wk. Microvascular pressure was assessed by double-occlusion technique, allowing calculation of segmental resistances. In addition, vascular eNOS immunoreactivity was assessed by quantitative immunohistochemistry, and eNOS mRNA abundance was determined by RT-PCR assays. Our findings indicate that 4-day and 2-wk posthypoxic rats exhibit persistent pulmonary hypertension, likely due to maintained arterial remodeling and polycythemia associated with prior exposure to CH. Furthermore, arterial dilation to ionomycin was augmented in lungs from each experimental group compared with controls. Finally, arterial eNOS immunoreactivity and whole lung eNOS mRNA levels remained elevated in posthypoxic animals. These findings suggest that altered vascular mechanical forces or vascular remodeling contributes to enhanced EDNO-dependent arterial dilation and upregulation of arterial eNOS in various models of established pulmonary hypertension.

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (7) ◽  
pp. 1259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kayo Horie ◽  
Naoki Nanashima ◽  
Hayato Maeda

Phytoestrogens are plant-derived chemicals that are found in many foods and have estrogenic activity. We previously showed that blackcurrant extract (BCE) and anthocyanins have phytoestrogenic activity mediated via estrogen receptors (ERs), and anthocyanins may improve vascular function. BCE contains high levels of anthocyanins, but their health-promoting effects are unclear. This study examined the effects of BCE on the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in human endothelial cells as key regulators in cardiovascular disease. The results showed that eNOS mRNA levels were significantly upregulated in BCE- or anthocyanin-treated human vascular endothelial cells but decreased in cells treated with fulvestrant, an ER antagonist. These results corresponded with NO levels, suggesting that BCE and anthocyanin may regulate NO synthesis via eNOS expression. Thus, the phytoestrogenic effects exerted by BCE via ERs influenced eNOS mRNA expression and NO synthesis. In vivo, we investigated whether anthocyanin-rich BCE upregulated eNOS protein expression in ovariectomized (OVX) rats, a widely used animal model of menopause. Our results showed that anthocyanin-rich BCE significantly upregulated eNOS mRNA levels and NO synthesis through phytoestrogenic activity and therefore promoted blood vessel health in OVX rats as a postmenopausal model.


1997 ◽  
Vol 272 (2) ◽  
pp. H806-H813 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Resta ◽  
R. J. Gonzales ◽  
W. G. Dail ◽  
T. C. Sanders ◽  
B. R. Walker

We have previously demonstrated that arterial, but not venous, vasodilatory responses to endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO)-dependent agonists are enhanced in lungs isolated from rats with chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension. These data suggest that CH is associated with increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity within the pulmonary arterial vasculature. In addition, the correlation of increased pulmonary arterial pressure with selectively enhanced arterial responsiveness to EDNO-mediated agonists suggests that arterial hypertension, rather than hypoxia per se, is a contributing factor in this response. Therefore, we hypothesized that 1) CH selectively upregulates eNOS within the pulmonary arterial vasculature and 2) monocrotaline (MC)-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension selectively enhances pulmonary arterial dilation to EDNO-dependent dilators and upregulates arterial eNOS. We examined the responses to the EDNO-dependent dilators arginine vasopressin and ionomycin in U-46619-constricted isolated perfused lungs from control and MC-treated rats. Microvascular pressure was assessed by the double-occlusion technique, allowing calculation of segmental resistances. Lungs from MC-treated rats exhibited augmented arterial dilation to arginine vasopressin compared with control lungs. However, the responses to ionomycin were not different between the two groups. Quantitative immunocytochemistry was used to compare pulmonary eNOS immunoreactivity in vessels from control, CH, and MC-treated rats. eNOS staining was more intense in the arteries of CH and MC-treated rats compared with those of control animals, whereas CH and MC treatment had no effect on eNOS staining in veins. We conclude that pulmonary arterial hypertension, or altered vascular mechanical forces associated with hypertension, may be responsible for the augmented EDNO-dependent arterial dilation and upregulation of arterial eNOS in lungs from CH and MC-treated rats.


Endocrinology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 149 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daryl O. Schwenke ◽  
Takeshi Tokudome ◽  
Mikiyasu Shirai ◽  
Hiroshi Hosoda ◽  
Takeshi Horio ◽  
...  

Chronic exposure to hypoxia, a common adverse consequence of most pulmonary disorders, can lead to a sustained increase in pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), right ventricular hypertrophy, and is, therefore, closely associated with heart failure and increased mortality. Ghrelin, originally identified as an endogenous GH secretagogue, has recently been shown to possess potent vasodilator properties, likely involving modulation of the vascular endothelium and its associated vasoactive peptides. In this study we hypothesized that ghrelin would impede the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension during chronic hypoxia (CH). PAP was continuously measured using radiotelemetry, in conscious male Sprague Dawley rats, in normoxia and during 2-wk CH (10% O2). During this hypoxic period, rats received a daily sc injection of either saline or ghrelin (150 μg/kg). Subsequently, heart and lung samples were collected for morphological, histological, and molecular analyses. CH significantly elevated PAP in saline-treated rats, increased wall thickness of peripheral pulmonary arteries, and, consequently, induced right ventricular hypertrophy. In these rats, CH also led to the overexpression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA and protein, as well as endothelin-1 mRNA within the lung. Exogenous ghrelin administration attenuated the CH-induced overexpression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA and protein, as well as endothelin-1 mRNA. Consequently, ghrelin significantly attenuated the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension, pulmonary vascular remodeling, and right ventricular hypertrophy. These results demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of ghrelin for impeding the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular hypertrophy, particularly in subjects prone to CH (e.g. pulmonary disorders).


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 204589401877304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julio D. Duarte ◽  
Mayank Kansal ◽  
Ankit A. Desai ◽  
Katherine Riden ◽  
Meghan J. Arwood ◽  
...  

The biological mechanisms behind the development of pulmonary hypertension in the setting of left heart failure (HF-PH), including combined pre- and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (Cpc-PH), remains unclear. This study aimed to use candidate polymorphisms in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) genes to explore the role of NOS in HF-PH. DNA samples from 118 patients with HF-PH were genotyped for the NOS3 rs1799983 and NOS2 rs3730017 polymorphisms. A multiple regression model was used to compare hemodynamic measurements between genotype groups. Patients with the T/T genotype at rs1799983 possessed a nearly 10 mmHg increased transpulmonary gradient (TPG) compared to those with other genotypes ( P = 0.006). This finding was replicated in an independent cohort of 94 HF-PH patients ( P = 0.005). However, when tested in a cohort of 162 pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension patients, no association was observed. In a combined analysis of both HF-PH cohorts, mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), diastolic pulmonary gradient (DPG), and CpcPH status were also associated with rs1799983 genotype ( P = 0.005, P = 0.03, and P = 0.02, respectively). In patients with HF-PH, the NOS3 rs1799983 polymorphism is associated with TPG, and potentially mPAP and DPG as well. These findings suggest that endothelial NOS (encoded by NOS3) may be involved in the pulmonary vascular remodeling observed in Cpc-PH and warrants further study.


2006 ◽  
Vol 291 (5) ◽  
pp. C803-C816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles D. Searles

The ability of the endothelium to produce nitric oxide is essential to maintenance of vascular homeostasis; disturbance of this ability is a major contributor to the pathogenesis of vascular disease. In vivo studies have demonstrated that expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is vital to endothelial function and have led to the understanding that eNOS expression is subject to modest but significant degrees of regulation. Subsequently, numerous physiological and pathophysiological stimuli have been identified that modulate eNOS expression via mechanisms that alter steady-state eNOS mRNA levels. These mechanisms involve changes in the rate of eNOS gene transcription (transcriptional regulation) and alteration of eNOS mRNA processing and stability (posttranscriptional regulation). In cultured endothelial cells, shear stress, transforming growth factor-β1, lysophosphatidylcholine, cell growth, oxidized linoleic acid, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors, and hydrogen peroxide have been shown to increase eNOS expression. In contrast, tumor necrosis factor-α, hypoxia, lipopolysaccaride, thrombin, and oxidized LDL can decrease eNOS mRNA levels. For many of these stimuli, both transcriptional and posttranscriptional mechanisms contribute to regulation of eNOS expression. Recent studies have begun to further define signaling pathways responsible for changes in eNOS expression and have characterized cis- and trans-acting regulatory elements. In addition, a role has been identified for epigenetic control of eNOS mRNA levels. This review will discuss transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of eNOS with emphasis on the molecular mechanisms that have been identified for these processes.


2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Takesue ◽  
MA Hattori ◽  
N Nishida ◽  
Y Kato ◽  
N Fujihara

The present study was designed to investigate nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and the expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) gene in cultured porcine granulosa cells. Granulosa cells prepared from small follicles (1-4 mm diameter) were cultured in plastic dishes coated with fibronectin in chemically defined medium, and matured after 48 h of stimulation with FSH. The concentrations of nitrite and nitrate remained relatively constant until 42 h of stimulation, after which they increased significantly up to twofold at 48 h. NO synthesis was accompanied by an increase in cGMP. Gene expression for eNOS was studied by RT-PCR, and a PCR product of the expected size amplified. eNOS mRNA was expressed in the presence of FSH, but not in the absence of FSH. Although eNOS mRNA was not expressed in the initial period, it was expressed after 12 h of stimulation with FSH, and remained at a relatively constant level until 48 h. Expression of eNOS mRNA preceded expression of LH receptor mRNA, which showed a maximal level at 24 h of stimulation. These observations suggest that eNOS expression is not related to a rapid synthesis of NO in developing granulosa cells, and that the activation of NO synthesis is rigidly regulated in the initial period of development.


Author(s):  
Sarah Abdullah ◽  
Yazun Jarrar ◽  
Hussam Alhawari ◽  
Eyada Abed ◽  
Malek Zihlif

Background: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) plays a major role in the response of antihypercholesterol statin drugs. Genetic polymorphisms in the eNOS gene affect the activity of eNOS and thereby modulate statin response. Objectives: This study investigated the influence of major functional eNOS gene polymorphisms (rs2070744, rs1799983, and rs61722009) on the lipid profile of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) Jordanian patients treated with atorvastatin. Methods: The sample comprised 103 T2DM patients who attended the diabetes clinic of Jordan University Hospital. The T2DM patients had regularly been taking 20 mg atorvastatin. The atorvastatin response was calculated by measuring the lipid profile before and after three months of atorvastatin treatment. The eNOS genotypes of the subjects were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) assay. Results: No significant association was found between eNOS genetic polymorphisms and the response to atorvastatin (ANOVA, p > 0.05). In addition, no significant difference in the frequency of eNOS genotypes was found between T2DM patients and healthy subjects. However, patients with eNOS rs1799983, 4a/4a, and rs61722009 G/G genotypes showed a significantly lower levels of baseline total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) than did patients carrying the rs1799983 4b/4b or rs61722009 T/T genotype (p < 0.05). The eNOS rs1799983 and rs61722009 polymorphisms were in complete linkage disequilibrium (D' = 1). Conclusion: Although no association was found between eNOS genetic polymorphisms and atorvastatin response, there was a significant association between the rs1799983 and rs61722009 genotypes and baselines levels of TC and LDL in Jordanian T2DM patients. These genetic variants affect cholesterol levels and may play a role in the susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases in T2DM patients. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.


2006 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohsen Kerkeni ◽  
Faouzi Addad ◽  
Maryline Chauffert ◽  
Anne Myara ◽  
Mohamed Ben Farhat ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent, graded risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). The G894T variant of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was postulated to be associated with hyperhomocysteinemia and could influence individual susceptibility to CAD. The aims of this study were to investigate (a) the relationship of the eNOS G894T polymorphism with the presence and the severity of CAD and (b) the possible relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and the eNOS G894T variant for the risk of CAD severity in a Tunisian population. Methods: We used PCR with restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to detect the G894T variant of the eNOS gene in 100 patients with CAD and 120 healthy controls. The severity of CAD was expressed by the number of affected vessels. Total plasma homocysteine concentrations were determined by direct chemiluminescence assay. Results: The frequencies of the eNOS GG, GT, and TT genotypes in the CAD group were significantly different from those in the control group (45%, 44%, and 11% vs 60%, 35.8% and 4.2%, respectively; P = 0.035). There was no association between the eNOS G894T genotype frequencies and the number of stenosed vessels (P = 0.149). In the CAD group, the coexistence of the 894 GT or TT genotypes and hyperhomocysteinemia led to an increased risk of CAD severity. Conclusion: The G894T polymorphism of the eNOS gene is associated with the presence of CAD, and in conjunction with hyperhomocysteinemia, increased the risk of CAD severity in a Tunisian population.


2001 ◽  
Vol 281 (3) ◽  
pp. C849-C856 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Ning Qi ◽  
Zuo-Qin Yan ◽  
Peter G. Whang ◽  
Qi Zhou ◽  
Long-En Chen ◽  
...  

This study examined mRNA and protein expressions of neuronal (nNOS), inducible (iNOS), and endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOS) in peripheral nerve after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R). Sixty-six rats were divided into the ischemia only and I/R groups. One sciatic nerve of each animal was used as the experimental side and the opposite untreated nerve as the control. mRNA levels in the nerve were quantitatively measured by competitive PCR, and protein was determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. The results showed that, after ischemia (2 h), both nNOS and eNOS protein expressions decreased. After I/R (2 h of ischemia followed by 3 h of reperfusion), expression of both nNOS and eNOS mRNA and protein decreased further. In contrast, iNOS mRNA significantly increased after ischemia and was further upregulated (14-fold) after I/R, while iNOS protein was not detected. The results reveal the dynamic expression of individual NOS isoforms during the course of I/R injury. An understanding of this modulation on a cellular and molecular level may lead to understanding the mechanisms of I/R injury and to methods of ameliorating peripheral nerve injury.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document