Effect of changes in pH on wall tension in isolated rat pulmonary artery: role of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway

2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (4) ◽  
pp. L673-L684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Marc Hyvelin ◽  
Clare O’Connor ◽  
Paul McLoughlin

Pulmonary arteries (PA) are resistant to the vasodilator effects of extracellular acidosis in systemic vessels; the mechanism underlying this difference between systemic and pulmonary circulations has not been elucidated. We hypothesized that RhoA/Rho-kinase-mediated Ca2+ sensitization pathway played a greater role in tension development in pulmonary than in systemic vascular smooth muscle and that this pathway was insensitive to acidosis. In arterial rings contracted with the α1-agonist phenylephrine (PE), the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 (≤3 μM) induced greater relaxation in precontracted PA rings than in aortic rings. In PA rings stimulated by PE, the activation of RhoA was greater than in aorta. Normocapnic acidosis (NA) induced a smaller relaxation in precontracted PA than in aorta. However, in the presence of nifedipine and thapsigargin, when PE-induced contraction was predominantly mediated by Rho-kinase, the relaxant effect of NA was reduced and similar in both vessel types. Furthermore, in the presence of Y-27632, NA induced a greater relaxation in both PA and aorta, which was similar in both vessels. Finally, in α-toxin-permeabilized smooth muscle, PE-induced contraction at constant Ca2+ activity was inhibited by Y-27632 and unaffected by acidosis. These results indicate that Ca2+ sensitization induced by the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway played a greater role in agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction in PA than in aorta and that tension mediated by this pathway was insensitive to acidosis. The predominant role of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway in the pulmonary vasculature may account for the resistance of this circulation to the vasodilator effect of acidosis observed in the systemic circulation.

Hypertension ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin B Atkins ◽  
Jharna Saha ◽  
Frank C Brosius

Expression of GLUT4 is decreased in arterial smooth muscle of hypertensive rats and mice, and total body overexpression of GLUT4 in mice prevents enhanced arterial reactivity. To demonstrate that the effect on vascular response to GLUT4 overexpression is vascular rather than systemic in origin we utilized smooth muscle-specific GLUT4 transgenic mice (SMG4). GLUT4 expression in aortae of SMG4 compared to WT mice was increased 2-3 fold. Adult wild-type (WT) and SMG4 mice were made hypertensive or not through implantation of angiotensin II (AngII; 1.4mg/kg/d for 2 wks) or vehicle containing osmotic mini-pumps. Both WT and SMG4 mice AngII-treated mice exhibited significantly increased systolic blood pressure. In AngII-treated WT mice (WT-AngII) aortic GLUT4 expression was significantly decreased, whereas GLUT4 expression in aortae of AngII-treated SMG4 mice (SMG4-AngII) was maintained. The phosphorylation of ERM and MYPT1(Thr850) were significantly increased in aortae of WT-AngII compared to WT-Sham and SMG4-AngII mice. Responsiveness to the contractile agonists, phenylephrine, 5-HT, and PGF 2 was significantly increased in endothelium-intact aortic rings from WT-AngII mice, but remained normal in aortae of SMG4-AngII mice. Following pretreatment with Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632, relative inhibition of contractility to 5-HT was equal in aortae from WT-AngII and SMG4-AngII-treated mice. With endothelial denudation, contractility to 5-HT was equally enhanced in aortae of WT-AngII and SMG4-AngII-treated mice. Interestingly, whereas acetylcholine stimulated relaxation was significantly decreased in aortic rings of WT-AngII mice, relaxation in rings from SMG4-AngII mice was not significantly different from WT or SMG4. These results demonstrate an interesting phenomenon whereby decreased expression of GLUT4 in vascular smooth muscle leads to an endothelial dysfunction that not only impairs relaxation, but also enhances contractility.


2003 ◽  
Vol 89 (05) ◽  
pp. 904-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Tkachuk ◽  
Hermann Haller ◽  
Inna Dumler ◽  
Ioulia Kiian

SummaryUrokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) facilitates cell migration by localizing proteolisys on the cell surface and by inducing intracellular signalling pathways. In human vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) uPA stimulates migration via the uPA receptor (uPAR) signalling complex containing the Janus kinase Tyk2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K). We report that active GTP-bound forms of small GTPases RhoA and Rac1, but not Cdc42, are directly associated with Tyk2 and PI3-K in an uPA/uPAR-dependent fashion. Endogenous RhoA, but not Rac1 or Cdc42, was significantly activated in response to uPA. RhoA activation was abolished by cell treatment with two unrelated, structurally distinct, specific inhibitors of PI3-K, wortmannin, and LY294002. Downstream of RhoA, phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) was dramatically upregulated by uPA in a Rho kinase- and PI3-K-dependent manner. Thus, selective Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 and PI3-K inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 prevented the uPA-induced stimulation of MLC phosphorylation. Rho kinase inhibition also decreased uPA-stimulated VSMC migration as observed in a Boyden chamber. VSMC immunocytochemical staining demonstrated redistribution of RhoA and Rac1 active forms to the newly formed leading edge of migrating cell. VSMC microinjection with antibodies to either Rho or Rac1 decreased uPA-stimulated cell migration, indicating the involvement of both GTPases in the migration process. Our results provide evidence that the small GTPases RhoA and Rac1, together with Rho kinase, are necessary to mediate the uPA/uPAR-directed migration via the Tyk2/PI3-K signalling complex in human VSMC.


2003 ◽  
Vol 99 (3) ◽  
pp. 646-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingui Yu ◽  
Koji Ogawa ◽  
Yasuyuki Tokinaga ◽  
Yoshio Hatano

Background The Rho/Rho-kinase signaling pathway plays an important role in mediating Ca2+ sensitization of vascular smooth muscle. The effect of anesthetics on Rho/Rho-kinase-mediated vasoconstriction has not been determined to date. This study is designed to examine the possible inhibitory effects of sevoflurane on the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway by measuring guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]triphosphate (GTP gamma S)-stimulated contraction and translocation of RhoA (one of the three Rho subtypes) and Rock-2 (one of the two Rho-kinase subtypes) from the cytosol to the membrane in rat aortic smooth muscle. Methods GTP gamma S-induced contraction of rat aortic endothelium-denuded rings was measured using an isometric force transducer, and GTP gamma S-stimulated membrane translocation of RhoA and Rock-2 in smooth muscle cells was detected with Western blotting in the presence and absence of sevoflurane. Results GTP gamma S (10(-4) m) induced a sustained contraction, which was significantly inhibited by the Rho-kinase inhibitor, Y27632 (3 x 10(-6) m). Before treatment with GTP gamma S, RhoA and Rock-2 were detected primarily in the cytosolic fraction. GTP gamma S (10(-4) m) stimulated the translocation of RhoA and Rock-2 from the cytosol to the membrane, which was sustained for more than 60 min. Sevoflurane (1.7, 3.4, and 5.1%) concentration dependently inhibited the GTP gamma S-induced constriction of rat aortic smooth muscle with a reduction of constriction of 52-75% (P < 0.01, n = 8), and attenuated the translocation of RhoA and Rock-2 by 31-66% and 34-78%, respectively (P < 0.05-0.01, respectively; n = 4). Conclusion The current findings show that sevoflurane depresses the GTP gamma S-stimulated contraction and translocation of both Rho and Rho-kinase from the cytosol in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that sevoflurane is able to inhibit vasoconstriction mediated by the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway in rat aortic smooth muscle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Michał Wiciński ◽  
Bartosz Malinowski ◽  
Paweł Rajewski ◽  
Paweł Szychta ◽  
Eryk Wódkiewicz ◽  
...  

Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) is a chemical compound belonging to the group of polyphenols and flavonoids. The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of resveratrol application along with certain modulating factors, such as 8Br-cGMP-activator of cGMP-dependent protein kinases, HA-1077-Rho-kinase inhibitor, and Bay K8644-calcium channel agonist, on VMSCs constriction triggered by phenylephrine. Resveratrol at a dose of 10 mg/kg/24 h administered for 4 weeks reduced the reactivity of the arteries to the pressure action of catecholamines. Tests performed after four weeks of resveratrol administration showed that 8Br-cGMP at the concentrations of 0.01 mM/l and 0.1 mM/l intensifies this effect. Simultaneous resveratrol and Bay K8644 administration led to a significant decrease in contractility compared to the vessels collected from animals (Res−). This effect was dependent on the concentration of Bay K8644. Resveratrol seems to be counteractive against Bay K8644 by blocking L-type calcium channels. As the concentration of HA-1077 increased, there was a marked hyporeactivity of the vessels to the pressure effects of phenylephrine. The results indicate synergy between resveratrol and Rho-kinase inhibition.


2004 ◽  
Vol 287 (4) ◽  
pp. L649-L655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christa Boer ◽  
Geerten P. van Nieuw Amerongen ◽  
A. B. Johan Groeneveld ◽  
Gert Jan Scheffer ◽  
Jaap J. de Lange ◽  
...  

Endotoxemia is associated with changed pulmonary vascular function with respect to vasoreactivity, endothelial permeability, and activation of inducible nitric oxide synthase II (NOSII). However, whether altered passive arterial wall mechanics contribute to this endotoxin-induced pulmonary vascular dysfunction is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated whether endotoxin affects the passive arterial mechanics and compliance of isolated rat pulmonary arteries. Pulmonary arteries of pentobarbital-anesthetized Wistar rats ( n = 55) were isolated and exposed to Escherichia coli endotoxin (50 μg/ml) for 20 h. Endotoxin increased pulmonary artery diameter and compliance (transmural pressure = 13 mmHg) in an endothelium-, Ca2+-, or NOSII-induced NO release-independent manner. Interestingly, the endotoxin-induced alterations in the passive arterial mechanics were accompanied by disassembly of the smooth muscle cell (SMC) F-actin cytoskeleton. Disassembly of F-actin by incubation of control arteries with the cytoskeleton-disrupting agent cytochalasin B or the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y-27632 induced a similar increase in passive arterial diameter and compliance. In contrast, RhoA activation by lysophosphatidic acid prevented the endotoxin-induced alterations in the pulmonary SMC F-actin cytoskeleton and passive mechanics. In conclusion, these findings indicate that disassembly of the SMC F-actin cytoskeleton and RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling act as mediators of endotoxin-induced changes in the pulmonary arterial mechanics. They imply the involvement of F-actin rearrangement and RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling in endotoxemia-induced vascular lung injury.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malvyne Rolli-Derkinderen ◽  
Jérémy Brégeon ◽  
Sarah J Parsons ◽  
Pierre Pacaud ◽  
Gervaise Loirand

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a major regulator of blood pressure, that essentially acts through activation of Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). AT1R receptor activates numerous intracellular signaling pathways, including the small G protein RhoA known to control VSMC proliferation, migration, differentiation and contraction. Nevertheless, the mechanisms leading to RhoA activation by AT1R are unknown. RhoA activation can result from activation of RhoA exchange factor, that replaces bound GDP by GTP and/or inhibition of Rho GTPase-activating-protein (GAP) that hydrolyzes GTP to GDP. Here we assess the involvement of the p190A Rho GAP in RhoA activation induced by Ang II. The introduction of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting p190A in VSMC from rat aorta increased basal RhoA-Rho kinase pathway activity (790 ± 11% of control, n = 3). Moreover p190A-siRNA abolished the early activation of RhoA-Rho kinase pathway induced after 5 min of AngII (0.1 μM) stimulation but not the delayed RhoA activation induced after 60 min. We then measured p190A tyrosine phosphorylation known to reflect its activity. In resting VSMC, p190A was basally phosphorylated. In the presence of the AT2R inhibitor PD123319 (1 μM), activation of AT1R induced p190A dephosphorylation that was maximal at 5 min of Ang II stimulation (26 ± 5% of control, n = 4). The activation of AT2R by Ang II in the presence of losartan (1 μM) had no effect, neither on RhoA activation nor on p190A phosphorylation. Expression of a p190A phosphomimetic mutant decreased the basal activity of RhoA-Rho kinase pathway. In contrast expression of catalytically inactive or phosphoresistant p190A mutants increased the basal activity of RhoA-Rho kinase pathway and inhibited RhoA activation by Ang II. Moreover, using siRNA, we show that the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2, known to be activated by AT1R stimulation, was necessary for Ang II-mediated p190A dephosphorylation and RhoA activation. Our work demonstrates that RhoA/Rho kinase activity is controlled by the p190A Rho GAP in VSMC. Activity of p190A is basally high and maintains a low level of RhoA-Rho kinase activity in resting VSMC. Dephosphorylation of p190A through SHP2-dependent process is required for AT1R-induced RhoA activation.


2001 ◽  
Vol 281 (2) ◽  
pp. L361-L368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satyan Lakshminrusimha ◽  
Christopher A. D'Angelis ◽  
James A. Russell ◽  
Lori C. Nielsen ◽  
Sylvia F. Gugino ◽  
...  

C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is a recently described endothelium-derived relaxing factor. CNP relaxes vascular smooth muscle and inhibits smooth muscle proliferation by binding to natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR) type B (NPR-B) and producing cGMP. Lung parenchyma and fifth-generation pulmonary arteries (PA) and veins (PV) were isolated from late-gestation fetal lambs. All three types of NPR mRNA were detected in PA and PV by RT-PCR. CNP and NPR-B immunostaining was positive in pulmonary vascular endothelium and medial smooth muscle. CNP concentration-response curves of PA and PV were compared with those of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) by use of standard tissue bath techniques. CNP relaxed PV significantly better than PA. ANP relaxed PA and PV equally, but ANP relaxed PA significantly better than CNP. Pretreating PA and PV with natriuretic peptide receptor blocker (HS-142-1) or cGMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor Rp-β-phenyl-1- N 2-etheno-8-bromoguanosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphorothionate significantly inhibited the CNP relaxation response, indicating that the response was mediated through the NPR-cGMP pathway. We conclude that CNP is important in mediating pulmonary venous tone in the fetus.


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