Hepatocyte growth factor stimulates nitric oxide production through endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway and possibly by mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase in vascular endothelial cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has recently been the focus of attention due to its angiogenic effects, which are similar to those of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); because of these effects, HGF is considered to be a novel therapeutic agent against vascular disorders, including atherosclerotic angiopathies. Although nitric oxide (NO), which is derived from vascular endothelial cells (ECs), is also involved in angiogenesis, little is known regarding the interactions between HGF and NO. We therefore examined the effects of HGF on NO production as well as endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation, and investigated their mechanisms. In bovine aortic ECs, HGF induced a rapid (5 min) increase of NO production measured by diaminofluorescein-2 diacetate. Moreover, HGF rapidly (2.5 min) stimulated eNOS phosphorylation (Ser-1179) as determined by Western immunoblot analyses. Both of these effects were almost completely suppressed by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002, and were partially suppressed by the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) kinase 1/2 inhibitor U0126. HGF also stimulated Akt phosphorylation (Ser-473), which was completely suppressed by LY294002 and was partially suppressed by U0126. Moreover, HGF stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation (Thr-202/Tyr-204), which was completely suppressed by U0126 and was partially suppressed by LY294002. Taken together, these results indicate that HGF not only phosphorylates eNOS through the PI3K/Akt pathway, but also partially through the MAPK pathway, and that these two pathways may interact. Compared with VEGF, HGF was more potent in both NO production and eNOS phosphorylation. Our study thus demonstrates a novel activity of HGF-the stimulation of NO production-which occurs via eNOS phosphorylation that may in turn be mediated by cross-talk between the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways.     

苯扎贝特对牛主动脉内皮细胞一氧化氮合酶基因表达的影响及其机制的研究

目的研究过氧化物酶体增生物激活受体α(peroxisomeproliferator-activatedreceptoralpha,PPARα)的配体苯扎贝特对原代牛主动脉内皮细胞(bovineaortaendothelialcells,BAEC)一氧化氮合酶(endothelialnitricoxidesynthase,eNOS)基因表达的影响并探讨其机制。方法分离和培养牛主动脉内皮细胞,采用Northern印迹法、Western印迹法检测苯扎贝特对BAECeNOSmRNA和蛋白质表达的影响,采用定量PCR的方法及NO试剂盒检测苯扎贝特对eNOSmRNA半衰期及NO产生的影响;继而采用Western印迹法,给予不同的信号转导通路抑制剂研究苯扎贝特影响eNOS表达所通过的信号转导途径,此外,构建了由人eNOS启动子驱动的荧光报告基因,研究苯扎贝特对eNOS启动子活性的影响。结果苯扎贝特以浓度(50~200μmol/L)依赖的方式明显上调BAEC细胞eNOS的mRNA和蛋白质表达(P<0.05),并促进一氧化氮(nitricoxide,NO)的生成[对照组(14.97±1.29)μmol/L,苯扎贝特不同浓度组(25.12±1.25)μmol/L,(30.12±1.85)μmol/L,(33.47±1.22)μmol/L],增强eNOS-ser-1179位点的磷酸化表达(P<0.05),但是对eNOS-thr-497位点的磷酸化表达几乎没有抑制作用,定量PCR证实苯扎贝特增加eNOSmRNA的半衰期(从3.1~6.1h),进一步的研究显示苯扎贝特以浓度依赖的方式增加人eNOS启动子驱动的荧光报告基因的荧光活性(相对的荧光活性在100μmol/L和200μmol/L组分别为4429.43±391.41,6187.5±307.53,对照组为3361.81±316.85),增加磷酸化丝裂原激活的蛋白激酶(mitogen-activatedproteinkinase,MAPK)的蛋白质表达(P<0.05及P<0.01),而PPARα、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶(phosphatidylinositol3-kinase,PI3K)和MAPK抑制剂可明显逆转苯扎贝特对eNOS表达的上调作用(P<0.01)。结论苯扎贝特通过上调eNOS的蛋白质表达、促进eNOS的磷酸化、增强eNOS的转录及eNOSmRNA的稳定性,从而促进NO的生成,其效应的发挥既通过依赖于PPARα的方式,也可以经MAPK和PI3K信号通路介导的不依赖于PPARα的“非基因效应”,揭示了PPARα的配基苯扎贝特的降脂外作用包括抗动脉粥样硬化和抗高血压的可能作用机制。     

Phytoestrogen genistein up-regulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression via activation of cAMP response element-binding protein in human aortic endothelial cells

We previously reported that genistein, a phytoestrogen, up-regulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and prevents hypertension in rats that are independent of estrogen signaling machinery. However, how genistein regulates eNOS expression is unknown. In the present study, we show that genistein enhanced eNOS expression and NO synthesis in primary human aortic endothelial cells. Inhibition of extracellular signal regulated kinase, phosphoinositol-3 kinase, or protein kinase C did not affect genistein-enhanced eNOS expression and NO synthesis. However, chemical inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) or adenoviral transfer of the specific endogenous PKA inhibitor gene completely abolished PKA activity and genistein-stimulated eNOS expression and NO production. Accordingly, genistein induced PKA activity and subsequent phosphorylation of cAMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB) at Ser133. Suppression of CREB by small interfering RNA transfection abolished genistein-enhanced eNOS expression and NO production. Consistently, deletion of the CRE site within human eNOS promoter eliminated genistein-stimulated eNOS promoter activity. These findings provide the first evidence to our knowledge that genistein may play a beneficial role in vascular function through targeting the PKA/CREB/eNOS/NO signaling pathway.     

Stretch activates nitric oxide production in pulmonary vascular endothelial cells in situ

Whereas endothelial responses to shear stress have been studied extensively, the responses to circumferential vascular stretch are yet poorly defined. Circumferential stretch in pulmonary microvessels is largely determined by the transmural pressure gradient, hence by both vascular perfusion and alveolar ventilation pressures. Here, we have studied the production of nitric oxide (NO) by the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in two different models of vascular stretch in the intact lung: In isolated-perfused rat lungs, vascular stretch was induced by elevation of vascular pressure. In situ digital fluorescence microscopy revealed stretch-dependent NO production, which was localized to capillary endothelial cells and inhibited by NOS blockers. In isolated-perfused mouse lungs, vascular stretch was generated by ventilation with elevated negative pressure. Stretch-induced phosphorylation of Akt and eNOS in lung endothelial cells was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and increased NO production by in situ fluorescence microscopy. Stretch-induced endothelial responses in both models were abrogated by pretreatment with phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase inhibitors. These findings demonstrate that circumferential stretch activates NO production in pulmonary endothelial cells by a signaling cascade involving phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase, Akt, and eNOS and that this response is independent from the mechanical factors causing vascular distension.     

Molecular mechanisms of ghrelin-mediated endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation

Metabolic syndrome accelerates the atherosclerotic process, and the earliest event of which is endothelial dysfunction. Ghrelin, a newly discovered gastric peptide, improves endothelial function and inhibits proatherogenic changes. In particular, low ghrelin concentration has been associated with several features of metabolic syndrome, including obesity, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ghrelin vascular actions remain largely unclear. Here, we showed that ghrelin activated endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) in cultured endothelial cells (ECs) and in intact vessels. Specifically, ghrelin rapidly induced phosphorylation of eNOS on an activation site and production of NO in human umbilical vein ECs and bovine aortic ECs. The eNOS phosphorylation was also observed in mouse aortas ex vivo perfused with ghrelin and in aortic tissues isolated from mice injected with ghrelin. Mechanistically, ghrelin stimulated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt activation in cultured ECs and intact vessels. Inhibiting AMPK and Akt with their pharmacological inhibitors, small interference RNA and adenoviruses carried dominant-negative mutants, markedly attenuated ghrelin-induced eNOS activation, and NO production. Furthermore, ghrelin receptor/Gq protein/calcium-dependent pathway mediates activation of AMPK, Akt, and eNOS, and calmodulin-dependent kinase kinase is a potential convergent point to regulate Akt and AMPK activation in ghrelin signaling. Importantly, eNOS activation is critical for ghrelin inhibition of vascular inflammation. Together, both in vitro and in vivo data demonstrate a new role of ghrelin signaling for eNOS activation, and highlight the therapeutic potential for ghrelin to correct endothelial dysfunction associated with atherosclerotic vascular diseases and metabolic syndrome.     

罗格列酮对高胰岛素培养的内皮细胞一氧化氮的影响及其机制研究

目的观察罗格列酮（RGZ）对高胰岛素培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVEC）NO浓度和内皮型一氧化氮合酶（eNOS）、磷酯酰肌醇3激酶（P13K）和蛋白激酶B（PKB）表达的影响,探讨RGZ改善高胰岛素状态下内皮功能障碍的信号转导机制。方法高浓度胰岛素培养HUVEC72h,并用不同浓度的RGZ进行干预。检测NO浓度,PI3K mRNA的表达,PKB、eNOS总蛋白和PKB丝氨酸473（PKB-Ser473）、eNOS丝氨酸1177（eNOS-Ser1177）的磷酸化表达。结果高浓度胰岛素培养HUVEC能呈剂帚和时间依赖性地降低N0的浓度,抑制内皮细胞P13KmRNA表达和PKB-Ser473、eNOS-Ser1177的磷酸化。用RGZ干预能硅著升高高胰岛素培养的内皮细胞NO的浓度和PKB、eNOS的磷酸化,增强PI3KmRNA表达;eNOS和P13K阻断剂均能阻断RGZ对高胰岛素培养的内皮细胞中NO浓度的升高,PI3K阻断剂还能阻断RGZ对高胰岛素培养内皮细胞PKB、eNOS的磷酸化。结论高胰岛素能下调P13K／PKB／eNOs信号通路而抑制内皮细胞NO的产生,RGZ能通过上调PI3K／PKB通路而增强高胰岛素培养的内皮细胞eNOS的活性和NO的产生。     

Globular adiponectin upregulates nitric oxide production in vascular endothelial cells

Aims/hypothesis Adiponectin, also called ACRP30, is a novel adipose tissue-specific protein that has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and to exert anti-atherogenic effects. It is known that knockout mice lacking endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) develop hypertension, insulin resistance, hyperlipidaemia, and show augmented ischaemia-reperfusion damage. Thus, we examined whether globular adiponectin activates eNOS to produce NO.Methods To analyze NO production in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAE), NOx (nitrite and nitrate) was measured in the medium with an automated NO detector/high-performance liquid chromatography system. eNOS activation was assessed by phosphorylation of the enzyme and its activity was evaluated by citrulline synthesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). eNOS mRNA and protein expressions in HUVEC were evaluated by Realtime PCR and Western blot analysis.Results Gobular adiponectin increased NO production in BAE. It also caused eNOS phosphorylation and potentiated eNOS activity in HUVEC. In addition, globular adiponectin up-regulated the eNOS gene to increase protein expression in HUVEC.Conclusion/interpretation Globular adiponectin increases NO production through two mechanisms, namely, by activation of eNOS enzyme activity and via an increase in eNOS expression. Activation and up-regulation of eNOS could explain some of the observed vasoprotective properties of globular adiponectin, as well as its beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system.Abbreviations NO nitric oxide - eNOS endothelial NO synthase - BAE bovine aortic endothelial cells - HUVEC human umbilical vein endothelial cells - ACRP30 adipocyte complement-related protein of 30 kDa - GAPDH glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase     

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase and endothelial dysfunction

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates vascular tone and local blood flow, platelet aggregation and adhesion, and leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions. Abnormalities in NO production by the vascular endothelium result in endothelial dysfunction, which occurs in hypertension, diabetes, aging, and as a prelude to atherosclerosis. The common feature of endothelial dysfunction is a decrease in the amount of bioavailable NO. In this article, the physiologic roles of NO and the mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction are reviewed. Regulation of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activity by fatty acid modifications, intracellular localization, interactions with heat shock protein 90 (hsp90) and caveolin, substrate and cofactor dependence, and phosphorylation might all affect the level of bioavailable NO. A hypothesis is proposed that the final common pathway of diverse causes of endothelial dysfunction involves abnormalities in eNOS phosphorylation at Ser 1179 and other key phosphorylation sites     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces insulin resistance in endothelial cells via a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent pathway

Chronic inflammation contributes to vascular insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. Systemic infusion of TNF-alpha abrogates insulin's action to enhance skeletal muscle microvascular perfusion. In skeletal muscle TNF-alpha induces insulin resistance via the p38 MAPK pathway. To examine whether p38 MAPK also regulates TNF-alpha-induced vascular insulin resistance, bovine aortic endothelial cells (bAECs) were incubated+/-TNF-alpha (5 ng/ml) for 6 h in the presence or absence of SB203580 (p38 MAPK specific inhibitor, 10 microM) after serum starvation for 10 h. For the last 30 min, cells were treated+/-1 nM insulin, and insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1, Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, and eNOS activity were measured. TNF-alpha increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation, potently stimulated IRS-1 serine phosphorylation, and blunted insulin-stimulated IRS-1 tyrosine and Akt phosphorylation and eNOS activity. TNF-alpha also potently stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and AMPK. Treatment with SB203580 decreased p38 MAPK phosphorylation back to the baseline and restored insulin sensitivity of IRS-1 tyrosine and Akt phosphorylation and eNOS activity in TNF-alpha-treated bAECs without affecting TNF-alpha-induced ERK1/2 and AMPK phosphorylation. We conclude that in cultured bAECs, TNF-alpha induces insulin resistance in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/eNOS pathway via a p38 MAPK-dependent mechanism and enhances ERK1/2 and AMPK phosphorylation independent of the p38 MAPK pathway. This differential modulation of TNF-alpha's actions by p38 MAPK suggests that p38 MAPK plays a key role in TNF-alpha-mediated vascular insulin resistance and may contribute to the generalized endothelial dysfunction seen in type 2 diabetes mellitus and the cardiometabolic syndrome.     

Ligand-independent activation of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 by fluid shear stress regulates activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase

Fluid shear stress generated by blood flowing over the endothelium is a major determinant of arterial tone, vascular remodeling, and atherogenesis. Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) plays an essential role in regulation of vascular function and structure by blood flow, but the molecular mechanisms that transduce mechanical force to eNOS activation are not well understood. In this study, we found that laminar flow (shear stress=12 dyne/cm2) rapidly activates vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in a ligand-independent manner and leads to eNOS activation in cultured endothelial cells. Flow-stimulated VEGFR2 recruits phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mediates activation of Akt and eNOS. Inhibiting VEGFR2 kinase with selective inhibitors blocks flow-induced activation of Akt and eNOS and production of NO. Decreasing VEGFR2 expression with antisense VEGFR2 oligonucleotides significantly attenuates activation of Akt and eNOS. Furthermore, Src kinases are involved in flow-stimulated VEGFR2 because inhibiting Src kinases by PP2, a selective inhibitor for Src kinases, abolishes flow-induced VEGFR2 tyrosine phosphorylation and downstream signaling. Finally, we show that inhibiting VEGFR2 kinase significantly reduces flow-mediated NO-dependent arteriolar dilation in vivo. These data identify VEGFR2 as a key mechanotransducer that activates eNOS in response to blood flow.     

cGMP-mediated negative-feedback regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression by nitric oxide

Earlier studies have demonstrated that nitric oxide (NO) exerts a fast-acting inhibitory influence on endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) enzymatic activity in isolated vascular tissue preparations. The present study was designed to examine the possible effect of NO on eNOS protein expression in cultured endothelial cells and intact animals. Human coronary endothelial cells were incubated with S-nitroso-N-acetyl-penicillamine (SNAP, an NO donor), oxyhemoglobin (HGB, an NO trapping agent), SNAP plus HGB, or inactive vehicle (control). In other experiments, cells were treated with 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (a phosphodiesterase inhibitor), 1H-[1,2, 4]oxadiazolo-[4,3-2]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor), SNAP plus ODQ, 8-bromo-cGMP (8-Br-cGMP, a cell-permeable cGMP compound), 8-Br-cGMP plus HGB, or inactive vehicle in order to discern the effect of cGMP. The incubations were conducted for 24 hours, and total nitrate plus nitrite production and eNOS protein abundance (Western analysis) were measured. To determine the effect of NO on eNOS expression in vivo, rats were treated with either the NO donor isosorbide dinitrate or placebo by gastric gavage for 48 hours, and aortic eNOS protein expression was examined. The NO donor SNAP markedly depressed, whereas the NO scavenger HGB significantly raised, eNOS protein expression. The downregulatory action of SNAP was completely abrogated by HGB. Phosphodiesterase inhibitor and 8-Br-cGMP downregulated, whereas the guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ upregulated eNOS protein expression. The downregulatory action of SNAP was completely overcome by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ, and the upregulatory action of the NO scavenger HGB was abrogated by 8-Br-cGMP. Administration of NO donor resulted in a marked downregulation of aortic eNOS protein expression in intact animals, thus confirming the in vitro findings. NO serves as a negative-feedback regulator of eNOS expression via a cGMP-mediated process.     

Reversal of endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling and up-regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression lowers blood pressure in hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to examine the hypothesis that a pharmacologic up-regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) combined with a reversal of eNOS uncoupling provides a protective effect against cardiovascular disease. BACKGROUND: Many cardiovascular diseases are associated with oxidant stress involving protein kinase C (PKC) and uncoupling of eNOS. METHODS: Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression was analyzed with RNase protection assay or quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, vascular nitric oxide (NO) with spin trapping, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) with dihydroethidium fluorescence. RESULTS: Aortas of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) showed an elevated production of ROS when compared with aortas of Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The aortic expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase subunits (Nox1, Nox2, Nox4, and p22phox) was higher in SHR compared with WKY. In SHR, aortic production of ROS was reduced by the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), indicating eNOS "uncoupling" in hypertension. Oral treatment with the PKC inhibitor midostaurin reduced aortic Nox1 expression, diminished ROS production, and reversed eNOS uncoupling in SHR. Aortic levels of (6R)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin (BH4) were significantly reduced in SHR compared with WKY. Midostaurin normalized BH4 levels in SHR. In both WKY and SHR, midostaurin increased aortic expression of eNOS mRNA and protein, stimulated bioactive NO production, and enhanced relaxation of the aorta to acetylcholine. Midostaurin lowered blood pressure in SHR and, to a lesser extent, in WKY; the compound did not change blood pressure in WKY made hypertensive with L-NAME. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacologic interventions that combine eNOS up-regulation and reversal of eNOS uncoupling can markedly increase bioactive NO in the vasculature and produce beneficial hemodynamic effects such as a reduction of blood pressure.     

Novel mechanism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation mediated by caveolae internalization in endothelial cells

Caveolin-1, the caveolae scaffolding protein, binds to and negatively regulates eNOS activity. As caveolin-1 also regulates caveolae-mediated endocytosis after activation of the 60-kDa albumin-binding glycoprotein gp60 in endothelial cells, we addressed the possibility that endothelial NO synthase (eNOS)-dependent NO production was functionally coupled to caveolae internalization. We observed that gp60-induced activation of endocytosis increased NO production within 2 minutes and up to 20 minutes. NOS inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) prevented the NO production. To determine the role of caveolae internalization in the mechanism of NO production, we expressed dominant-negative dynamin-2 mutant (K44A) or treated cells with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Both interventions inhibited caveolae-mediated endocytosis and NO generation induced by gp60. We determined the role of signaling via Src kinase in the observed coupling of endocytosis to eNOS activation. Src activation induced the phosphorylation of caveolin-1, Akt and eNOS, and promoted dissociation of eNOS from caveolin-1. Inhibitors of Src kinase and Akt also prevented NO production. In isolated perfused mouse lungs, gp60 activation induced NO-dependent vasodilation, whereas the response was attenuated in eNOS(-/-) or caveolin-1(-/-) lungs. Together, these results demonstrate a critical role of caveolae-mediated endocytosis in regulating eNOS activation in endothelial cells and thereby the NO-dependent vasomotor tone.