电压门控钾通道在慢性缺氧性肺动脉高压发展中的作用

目的:探究慢性缺氧对肺动脉平滑肌细胞电压门控钾通道（Kv）的影响及其在慢性缺氧性肺动脉高压发生发展中的作用。方法:50只雄性SD大鼠随机分为常氧对照组（10只）和慢性缺氧5 d、10 d、20 d及30 d组（各10只）。慢性缺氧组大鼠每天在低氧仓中予以缺氧8 h,分别取缺氧5 d、10 d、20 d及30 d的大鼠进行实验。测量平均肺动脉压（mPAP）并应用全细胞膜片钳技术记录肺动脉平滑肌细胞电压门控钾通道电流（IK）。结果:慢性缺氧显著减低大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞的IK峰值及I V曲线漂移。慢性缺氧5 d组肺动脉平滑肌细胞的IK密度及I V曲线与常氧组均没有显著差异;而慢性缺氧10 d组肺动脉平滑肌细胞的IK密度及I V曲线与常氧组均有显著差异(P< 0.05),随着缺氧时间的延长,IK密度的峰值进一步降低。与常氧组相比较,慢性缺氧10 d组大鼠的mPAP明显增加(P<0.05),随着缺氧时间的增加,mPAP进一步增加;mPAP的增加与IK密度的下降呈负相关(r=-0.89769,P<0.01)。结论:慢性缺氧在引发肺动脉高压的过程中伴随有肺动脉平滑肌细胞Kv通道的活性降低,提示Kv参与了肺动脉高压的发生发展。     

低氧对肺血管周细胞增殖及分化的影响

目的研究低氧对肺血管周细胞增殖及分化的影响,探讨低氧性肺动脉高压时无肌型肺动脉肌化的细胞来源。方法实验分为４组：直接低氧组（Ｈ组）,常氧组（Ｎ组）,低氧内皮细胞条件培养液组（ＨＥＣＣＭ组）,常氧内皮细胞条件培养液组（ＮＥＣＣＭ组）。应用细胞培养、３Ｈ胸腺嘧啶核苷（３ＨＴｄＲ）、免疫细胞化学、图像分析等技术,研究低氧对肺血管周细胞３ＨＴｄＲ的掺入量、增殖细胞核抗原（ＰＣＮＡ）、α平滑肌肌动蛋白（αＳＭＡｃｔｉｎ）表达的影响。结果Ｈ组周细胞３ＨＴｄＲ的掺入量、ＰＣＮＡ及αＳＭＡｃｔｉｎ的表达量分别是Ｎ组的２．１６倍（Ｐ＜０．０１）、１．１６倍（Ｐ＜０．０１）及１．１１倍（Ｐ＜０．０５）,ＨＥＣＣＭ组周细胞３ＨＴｄＲ的掺入量、ＰＣＮＡ及αＳＭＡｃｔｉｎ的表达量分别是ＮＥＣＣＭ组的１．８倍（Ｐ＜０．０１）、１．１５倍（Ｐ＜０．０１）及１．１２倍（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论低氧可直接或刺激内皮细胞分泌某些细胞因子促进肺血管周细胞增殖、并向平滑肌样细胞分化。肺血管周细胞的增殖、向平滑肌样细胞分化是低氧性肺动脉高压无肌细动脉肌化的重要细胞来源     

慢性缺氧抑制肺动脉平滑肌细胞钾通道活性

目的研究慢性缺氧性肺动脉高压发生机制中钾通道活性改变的作用，及其开放剂卡吗克林（ｃｒｏｍａｋａｌｉｍ）对钾通道活性的调控作用。方法２０只Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠随机分为对照组１０只和缺氧组１０只，缺氧组大鼠缺氧３周，每天缺氧８小时；运用急性酶分离法对Ｗｉｓｔａｔ大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞进行了分离；应用膜片钳小片膜单通道技术，分别对正常和慢性缺氧３周大鼠的肺动脉平滑肌细胞的钾离子通道进行了测定；记录并比较了两组大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞钙、ＡＴＰ激活性钾通道（Ｋ＋ＣａＡＴＰ）和延迟整流性钾通道的活性，并观察了ｃｒｏｍａｋａｌｉｍ对缺氧组大鼠钾通道的影响。结果慢性缺氧组大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞钙、ＡＴＰ激活性钾通道（Ｋ＋ＣａＡＴＰ）和延迟整流性钾通道的活性均比正常组低，ｃｒｏｍａｋａｌｉｍ可使慢性缺氧组Ｋ＋ＣａＡＴＰ的活性明显增高（Ｐ均＜０．０１）。结论慢性缺氧可明显抑制大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞钾通道活性，这可能在慢性缺氧性肺动脉高压的发病机制中发挥重要的作用，钾通道开放剂ｃｒｏｍａｋａｌｉｍ可作为降低缺氧性肺动脉高压的有效药物。     

The role of endothelin-B receptors in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension]

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoactive peptide, and is thought to play an important role in the regulation of pulmonary vascular tone. Previous studies suggested that ET-1 can act as a vasoconstrictor via the endothelin-A and -B 2 receptors located on smooth muscle cells, and also act as a vasodilator through the endothelin-B 1 receptor situated on endothelial cells in the pulmonary circulation. To determine the role of endothelin-B receptors in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, we examined the hemodynamic effects of a selective endothelin-B receptor agonist (IRL 1620) in chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertensive rats. In rat lungs perfused with a half-blood solution, vasoconstriction by KCl administration was gradually reversed by IRL 1620 in normoxic rats, but not in chronic hypoxic rats. In in vivo studies, small doses of IRL 1620 induced transient vasodilation in normoxic rats, but had no obvious effects in chronic hypoxic rats. A high dose of IRL 1620 mediated vasoconstriction only in chronic hypoxic rats. Endothelin-B receptor messenger-RNA expression was lower in the lungs of chronic hypoxic rats than in normoxic rats. These results suggested that although the vasodilatory response mediated by endothelin-B receptor can be expected to play a protective role in the development of pulmonary hypertension, that response is diminished in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.     

内皮细胞凋亡与肺动脉高压

随着肺动脉高压研究的不断深入,肺血管内皮细胞凋亡在肺动脉高压形成过程中的重要作用被逐步认识。多种疾病和环境因素导致肺血管内皮损伤、内皮细胞凋亡增加、功能障碍,从而促进肺动脉平滑肌细胞和成纤维细胞增殖、肺动脉重构和血栓形成;肺血管内皮细胞凋亡还诱导产生凋亡抵抗表型的内皮细胞过度增殖,形成丛样病变和肺血管闭塞,最终导致严重肺动脉高压。因而在肺动脉高压发生发展的不同时期,调控肺血管内皮细胞凋亡可能是预防和治疗肺动脉高压的一种新策略。     

急性缺氧抑制大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞钙ATP钾通道

目的研究急性缺氧对大鼠肺动脉平滑肌细胞钾通道活性的影响，以探讨钾通道活性改变在急性低氧性肺血管收缩（ＨＰＶ）反应中所起的作用。方法应用膜片钳单通道技术，在对称性高钾溶液中，于急性酶分离的大鼠单个肺动脉平滑肌细胞的内面向外式膜片（ｉｎｓｉｄｅｏｕｔｐａｔｃｈ）上，记录外向性钾通道电流，并用常氧和低氧的细胞浴液持续灌流肺动脉平滑肌细胞，以观察其对外向性钾通道电流的影响。结果在记录的外向性钾电流中，证实了一种电流为钙、ＡＴＰ激活性钾通道（Ｋ＋ＣａＡＴＰ）；用低氧的细胞浴液灌流肺动脉平滑肌细胞可明显抑制这种钙、ＡＴＰ激活性钾通道的活性（Ｐ＜０．０１）。而钾通道开放剂卡吗克啉（ｃｒｏｍａｋａｌｉｍ）对低氧所抑制的肺动脉平滑肌细胞钙、ＡＴＰ激活性钾通道具有明显的激活作用（Ｐ＜０．０１）。结论急性低氧可通过对钙、ＡＴＰ激活性钾通道的抑制作用，使肺动脉平滑肌细胞膜发生去极化，肺动脉收缩而导致急性肺血管阻力增加，进而产生肺动脉高压。肺动脉平滑肌细胞钙、ＡＴＰ激活性钾通道活性的降低，可能在低氧性肺血管收缩反应中起着重要的作用。Ｃｒｏｍａｋａｌｉｍ可作为拮抗低氧性肺血管收缩的有效药物之一。     

Dexamethasone blocks hypoxia-induced endothelial dysfunction in organ-cultured pulmonary arteries

We assessed the effects of dexamethasone (DEX) on hypoxia-induced dysfunction of the pulmonary endothelium using organ-cultured rabbit intrapulmonary arteries; 3-microM DEX inhibited the 7-day hypoxia (5% oxygen)-induced impairments of endothelial-dependent relaxation, cGMP accumulation, and increase in intracellular Ca(2+) level under substance P-stimulated conditions. Treatment with DEX over the final 3 days of the 7-day hypoxic exposure period also restored the decreased endothelium-dependent relaxation. Although chronic hypoxia did not change the mRNA expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), 3 microM of DEX increased eNOS mRNA expression in both the hypoxic and normoxic (20% oxygen) pulmonary endothelium. On the other hand, eNOS protein expression was not changed in any of the arteries. We next assessed the effects of DEX on the eNOS activation pathway. Chronic hypoxia impaired eNOS phosphorylation and Akt phosphorylation under both the nonstimulated and substance P-stimulated conditions, and 3-microM DEX restored these phosphorylations. Morphologic study revealed that 3-microM DEX inhibited chronic hypoxia-induced atrophy of endothelial cells and eNOS protein condensation into plasma membranes. These results suggest that DEX exerts beneficial effects on chronic hypoxia-induced impairments of nitric oxide-mediated arterial relaxation by increasing eNOS mRNA expression and inhibiting hypoxia-induced impairments in eNOS activation pathway with atrophy of endothelial cells.     

Locally acting growth factors for vascular smooth muscle cells: endogenous synthesis and release from platelets

Release of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) from platelets has been postulated to stimulate at least some of the cell proliferation seen at sites of tissue damage, both beneficially (wound healing) and perniciously (during formation of atherosclerotic lesions). Two other growth factors have been localized to the platelet: epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor. These factors may function synergistically with PDGF in promoting smooth muscle cell proliferation in the injured vessel wall. PDGF-like molecules (PDGF-c) that bind to the PDGF receptor and are at least partially recognized by antiserum against PDGF may also be synthesized by vessel wall cells themselves under certain circumstances. Arterial endothelial cells secrete several mitogens, one of which is a PDGF-c. Release is greatly stimulated by exposure of the cells to physiologic concentrations of thrombin. Also, aortic smooth muscle cells from 2-week-old rats secrete mitogenic levels of PDGF-c. In this case, PDGF-c accounts for all the mitogenic activity in conditioned medium (when assayed on 3T3 cells). Smooth muscle cells obtained from adult rat aortae secrete 150-fold less PDGF-c. In a third example, when adult rat carotid arteries are damaged with a balloon catheter, smooth muscle cells migrate into the intima of the artery and proliferate. By 2 weeks, the number of smooth muscle cells in the artery has doubled. When these intimal smooth muscle cells are cultured, they are found to secrete PDGF-c. These findings suggest that activation of endogenous synthesis of PDGF-c may contribute to the smooth muscle cell proliferation seen in response to vascular injury.     

Basic fibroblast growth factor and its receptors in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and lymphangioleiomyomatosis

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent mitogenic factor for smooth muscle cells, myofibroblasts, and fibroblasts, proliferation of which is a hallmark of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM). Mast cells produce bFGF and have been associated with pulmonary fibrosis. We hypothesize that smooth muscle cell/myofibroblast-like cells will be spatially associated with bFGF-containing mast cells and that bFGF receptors will be expressed on the effector cells in IPF and LAM. We performed quantitative immunohistochemistry for bFGF, mast cell tryptase, smooth muscle actin for smooth muscle cell/myofibroblast-like cells, and fibroblast growth factor receptors (Flg, Bek) and measured collagen and elastic fiber in lung sections from IPF (n = 14), LAM (n = 9), and control lung (n = 10). IPF and LAM lung contained more smooth muscle cell/myofibroblast-like cells than did control lung. bFGF-containing mast cells were abundant both in IPF and LAM and were associated with collagen, elastic fibers, and smooth muscle cell/myofibroblast-like cells in IPF. Flg was expressed on epithelial cells, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cell/myofibroblast-like cells, and macrophages in IPF. In LAM, Flg was expressed on epithelial cells adjacent to smooth muscle cell/myofibroblast-like cell aggregates. Bek was expressed dominantly on smooth muscle cell/myofibroblast-like cells in LAM and on smooth muscle cell/myofibroblast-like cells as well as neutrophils in IPF. These data suggest that mast cell-derived bFGF might exert fibrogenic, proliferative effects on smooth muscle cell/myofibroblast-like cells through its receptors.     

Bone morphogenetic protein 4 promotes pulmonary vascular remodeling in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension

We show that 1 of the type II bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor ligands, BMP4, is widely expressed in the adult mouse lung and is upregulated in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). Furthermore, heterozygous null Bmp4(lacZ/+) mice are protected from the development of hypoxia-induced PH, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, and vascular remodeling. This is associated with a reduction in hypoxia-induced Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation and Id1 expression in the pulmonary vasculature. In addition, pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells secrete BMP4 in response to hypoxia and promote proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells in a BMP4-dependent fashion. These findings indicate that BMP4 plays a dominant role in regulating BMP signaling in the hypoxic pulmonary vasculature and suggest that endothelium-derived BMP4 plays a direct, paracrine role in promoting smooth muscle proliferation and remodeling in hypoxic PH.     

Key role of 15-lipoxygenase/15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in pulmonary vascular remodeling and vascular angiogenesis associated with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension

We have found that 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) induced by hypoxia was an important mediator in the regulation of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, including the pulmonary vasoconstriction and remodeling. However, the underlying mechanisms of the remodeling induced by 15-HETE are poorly understood. In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry, pulmonary artery endothelial cells migration and tube formation, pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, and cell cycle analysis to determine the role of 15-HETE in hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling. We found that hypoxia induced pulmonary vascular medial hypertrophy and intimal endothelial cells migration and angiogenesis, which were mediated by 15-HETE. Moreover, 15-HETE regulated the cell cycle progression and made more smooth muscle cells from the G(0)/G(1) phase to the G(2)/M+S phase and enhanced the microtubule formation in cell nucleus. In addition, we found that the Rho-kinase pathway was involved in 15-HETE-induced endothelial cells tube formation and migration and smooth muscle cell proliferation. Together, these results show that 15-HETE mediates hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and stimulates angiogenesis via the Rho-kinase pathway.     

Smooth muscle cell migration induced by shear-loaded platelets and endothelial cells. Enhanced platelet-derived growth factor production by shear-loaded platelets.

BACKGROUND: Uncontrolled migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMC) are the main mechanisms of development of atherosclerotic neointima. However, it has not yet been elucidated how mechanical stress is involved in this process. We investigated smooth muscle cell mitogenic activity induced by shear-loaded platelets and endothelial cells. METHODS: Experimental design: in vitro experimental study. We devised four types of conditioned media; supernatant of mixed culture of platelets and endothelial cell (ST), supernatant of shear-loaded mixed culture of platelets and endothelial cell (SH), ST medium neutralised with anti-PDGF antibody (ST+), and SH medium neutralised with anti-PDGF antibody (SH+). Smooth muscle cells were cultured in each conditioned medium, and their spreading activity was determined under a microscope. RESULTS: Smooth muscle cells spreading activity in the SH group was significantly greater than that in the ST group. Their spreading activity was suppressed by anti-PDGF antibody under shear conditions (SH+), but it was not by anti-PDGF antibody under static conditions (ST+). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that platelet-derived growth factor is produced by shear-loaded platelets and endothelial cells, and local mechanical forces may play an important role in cardiovascular disease.     

Effects of C-reactive protein on human pulmonary vascular cells in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is characterised by proximal pulmonary vascular obstruction by thrombo-fibrotic material, the origin of which has not been elucidated. Enhanced inflammation could contribute to persistent obstruction by impairing pulmonary vascular cell function in CTEPH. We investigated C-reactive protein (CRP) effects on pulmonary vascular cell function in vitro. Primary cultures of proximal pulmonary endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from CTEPH and nonthromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (PH) patients were established. Recombinant CRP effects on mitogenic activity, adhesion capacity, endothelin-1 and von Willebrand factor (vWF) secretion and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression were investigated in ECs and/or SMCs. Expression of the CRP receptor, lectin-like oxidised low-density lipoprotein receptor (LOX)-1, was evaluated in proximal pulmonary arterial tissue and cells by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. CRP increased CTEPH-SMC proliferation by 250%. CRP increased adhesion capacity, endothelin-1 and vWF secretion by CTEPH-ECs by 37%, 129% and 694%, respectively. CRP-induced adhesion of CTEPH-ECs to monocytes was mediated by ICAM-1. CRP had no effect on cells from nonthromboembolic PH patients, probably because of overexpression of LOX-1 in CTEPH. Local expression of CRP was detected in ECs and SMCs within pulmonary arterial tissue. CRP may contribute to persistent obstruction of proximal pulmonary arteries in CTEPH by promoting vascular remodelling, endothelial dysfunction and in situ thrombosis.     

Brain- and liver cell-derived factors are required for growth of human endothelial cells in serum-free culture.

A test of the mitogenic activity of greater than 40 purified and crude sources of hormones and growth factors revealed that epidermal growth factor, high density lipoprotein, an extract of bovine pituitary, hypothalamus, or whole brain, and the medium conditioned by differentiated human hepatoma cells were mitogenic for cultured endothelial cells derived from human umbilical vein. The four active agents combined with an improved nutrient medium and a collagen- or fibronectin-coated culture surface supported the growth of the endothelial cell population at a rate of 0.70-0.80 generations per day at both low and high cell densities in serum-free medium. The brain-derived activity exhibited properties reported by Maciag et al. [Maciag, T., Hoover, A. & Weinstein, R. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 5333-5336] and Gordon et al. [Gordon, P. B., Sussman, I. I. & Hatcher, V. B. (1983) In Vitro 19, 661-671]. The liver cell-derived activity was a specific product of differentiated hepatoma cells. The medium from HeLa cells, relatively undifferentiated rat liver cell lines, and human fibroblasts was inactive. Purified plasma proteins of liver origin could not substitute for the hepatoma cell-conditioned medium. The hepatoma cell-derived activity was non-dialyzable, heat-labile, stable between pH 4 to 11, inactivated by trypsin and mercaptoethanol treatment, and stable after treatment with 6 M urea and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The results provide a simplified model for elucidation of the endocrinology of human endothelial cell growth, function, and aging. We suggest an endocrine role of both the nervous system and liver in the regeneration of endothelial cells.     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor contributes to hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in rats

BackgroundHypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction may lead to pulmonary hypertension, but the underlying mechanisms of persistent vasoconstriction are still unclear. There is evidence that pulmonary inflammation contributes to the abnormalities of function in the pulmonary artery (PA) following chronic hypoxia exposure. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine, and we found that expression of MIF was increased in the smooth muscle of PA from hypoxic pulmonary hypertensive rats. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the role of MIF in modulating vasoreactivity of isolated PA rings.MethodsSprague–Dawley rats were challenged by intermittent chronic hypoxia exposure for 4 weeks to establish hypoxic pulmonary hypertension models. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry and western blot assay were used to examine the MIF expression in pulmonary artery. Moreover, isometric force displacement was measured in isolated intrapulmonary artery.ResultsIn the isolated PA, our results showed that MIF mediated the enhanced pulmonary arterial vasoconstriction in response to chronic hypoxia, and the delayed hypoxic constriction in a biphasic pattern of constriction occurs in response to acute hypoxia. We also present the finding that MIF had no effect on force on its own, but concentration-dependently potentiated constrictions pre-evoked by phenylephrine under normoxic condition. The potentiation was independent of the endothelium. MIF-induced potentiation of phenylephrine-evoked constriction was partially inhibited by PKC inhibitor chelerythrine, p38 inhibitor SB 203580, ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126, respectively.ConclusionsOur results suggested that MIF enhanced vasoconstriction of pulmonary artery elicited by agonist through PKC, p38 and ERK1/2 signal pathways, which may contributes to hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.     

慢性缺氧改变肺内动脉平滑肌细胞环氧合酶基因的表达

目的研究慢性缺氧对肺动脉平滑肌细胞环氧合酶基因表达的影响.方法根据常氧(PaO2152mmHg)及慢性缺氧(PaO240±5nmHg)的不同培养条件,将平滑肌细胞分为常氧组和慢性缺氧组,采用半定量RT-PCR技术检测大鼠肺内动脉平滑肌细胞环氧合酶(COX)基因的表达及其对急性缺氧刺激的反应.结果COX-1mRNA的表达不受缺氧及传代的影响,而COX-2mRNA的表达随慢性缺氧时间延长而增加,在4、6代慢性缺氧培养组均高于同代常氧组水平(P＜0.05).急性缺氧后COX-2mRNA增加的幅度在慢性缺氧组均大于同代常氧组,以第四代最为显著.结论慢性缺氧可增强急性缺氧时肺内动脉平滑肌细胞COX-2基因的表达,在慢性缺氧所致肺血管对缺氧的反应性降低中可能起作用.     

Effects of hypoxia on heparan sulfate in bovine aortic and pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

Newly synthesized heparan sulfates purified from the cell layer of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) and main pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAECs) cultured under either normoxic (21% oxygen) or hypoxic (3% oxygen) conditions were characterized by size, charge, and capacity to bind to antithrombin III. Incorporation of radiolabeled sulfate into cell layer-associated heparan sulfate was reduced by 70% in BAECs and by 45% in BPAECs during exposure to 3% oxygen; degradation of radiolabeled heparan sulfate was not affected by hypoxia. However, the percentage of total radiolabeled heparan sulfate that bound to antithrombin III was increased by 33% for BAECs and by 120% for BPAECs when compared with radiolabeled heparan sulfate synthesized during the 21% oxygen exposure. Both the high- and low-antithrombin III affinity radiolabeled heparan sulfate consisted of two components of different sizes; the low-affinity components (mean sizes, 60 and 40 kd) generated under normoxic conditions were smaller than their respective high-affinity components (mean sizes, 70 and 55 kd) by molecular sieve chromatography. The components of low-antithrombin III affinity heparan sulfate generated during exposure to 3% oxygen were increased in size compared with the corresponding low-affinity components generated during the 21% oxygen exposure for both BPAECs and BAECs. In addition, the amount of the larger high-antithrombin III affinity component was reduced in both cell types exposed to hypoxia. There was no difference in functional heparin-like activity per dish between cells cultured at 3% and 21% oxygen; BAECs had twofold to threefold greater activity per dish than did BPAECs at both levels of oxygen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

beta-adrenergic relaxation in pulmonary arteries: preservation of the endothelial nitric oxide-dependent beta2 component in pulmonary hypertension

AIMS: beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR)-mediated relaxation was characterized in pulmonary arteries from normoxic and hypoxic (as model of pulmonary hypertension) mice. The endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) pathway was especially investigated because of its potential vasculoprotective effects. METHODS: Pulmonary arteries from control or hypoxic (0.5 atm for 21 days) wild-type or eNOS-/- mice were used for pharmacological characterization of beta-AR-mediated relaxation in myograph, and for immunohistochemistry using anti-beta-AR antibodies. RESULTS: In pulmonary arteries from normoxic mice, isoproterenol (beta-AR agonist) and procaterol (selective beta2-AR agonist) elicited relaxation, while cyanopindolol and CL316243 (beta3-AR agonists) were ineffective. The effect of isoproterenol was antagonized by CGP20712A and ICI118551 (beta1- or beta2-AR antagonists, respectively) and also partially inhibited by N omega-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME, a NOS inhibitor), endothelium denudation, or eNOS gene deletion. Relaxation to procaterol was abolished by L-NAME or endothelium removal. In eNOS-/- mice, procaterol-induced relaxation was decreased but was insensitive to L-NAME, this residual effect involving other endothelium-dependent relaxant factors as compensatory mechanisms. Immunostaining for beta2-AR was observed in the endothelial layer, but not the medial layer of pulmonary arteries. Pulmonary arteries from hypoxic mice exhibited decreased endothelial NO-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine. However, in these arteries, relaxation to procaterol was either unaffected (extralobar segments) or even increased (intralobar segments) and was still abolished by L-NAME or endothelium removal. CONCLUSION: beta1- and beta2-AR, but not beta3-AR, mediate relaxation of mice pulmonary arteries. The beta2-AR component is dependent on eNOS activity and is preserved following chronic hypoxia. These data highlight the role of the beta2-AR as a pharmacological target to induce/restore endothelial NO-dependent protective effects in pulmonary circulation.     

Ca2+ channels and chronic hypoxia

Many chronic lung diseases are associated with prolonged exposure to alveolar hypoxia, resulting in the development of pulmonary hypertension. While the exact mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension remain poorly understood, a key role for changes in Ca2+ homeostasis has emerged. Intracellular Ca2+ concentration controls a variety of pulmonary vascular cell functions, including contraction, gene expression, growth, barrier function and synthesis of vasoactive substances. Several studies indicate that prolonged exposure to hypoxia causes alterations in the expression and activity of several Ca2+ handling pathways in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells. In contrast, the effect of chronic hypoxia on Ca2+ homeostasis in pulmonary arterial endothelial cells is relatively unexplored. In this review, we discuss data from our laboratory and others describing the effects of prolonged hypoxia on pulmonary vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cell Ca2+ homeostasis and the various Ca2+ channels and handling pathways involved in these responses. We will also highlight future directions of investigation that might improve our understanding of the response of pulmonary vascular cells to chronic hypoxia.