NAD(P)H oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species regulate angiotensin-II induced adventitial fibroblast phenotypic differentiation

Phenotypic differentiation of adventitial fibroblasts into myofibroblasts is an essential feature of vascular remodeling. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in rat adventitial fibroblast differentiation to myofibroblast. Activation of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) was used as a marker of myofibroblast. Angiotensin II increased intracellular ROS in adventitial fibroblasts that was completely inhibited by the free radical scavenger NAC, the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor DPI, and transfection of antisense gp91phox oligonucleotides. Myofibroblast differentiation was prevented by inhibition of ROS generation with DPI, NAC, and antisense gp91phox as shown by decreased expression of alpha-SMA. Angiotensin II rapidly induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and JNK, both of which were inhibited by DPI, NAC, antisense gp91phox, and the selective AT1 receptor antagonist, losartan. Inhibiting p38MAPK with SB202190 or JNK with SP600125 also reduced angiotensin II-induced alpha-SMA expression. These findings demonstrate that angiotensin II induces adventitial fibroblast differentiation to myofibroblast via a pathway that involves NADPH oxidase generation of ROS and activation of p38MAPK and JNK pathways.     

Taurine prevents cardiomyocyte death by inhibiting NADPH oxidase-mediated calpain activation

Taurine has been shown to prevent cardiomyocyte apoptosis. This study investigated the effects of taurine on NADPH oxidase and calpain activation in mediating apoptosis in cardiomyocytes. Apoptosis was induced by norepinephrine (NE) in cultured adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes. NE (5 microM) increased NADPH oxidase activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and induced apoptosis. These effects of NE on cardiomyocytes were diminished by taurine (0.5 mg/kg) but not beta-alanine. Inhibition of gp91(phox)-NADPH oxidase or ROS production protected cardiomyocytes from apoptosis. NE also induced calpain-1 activation in cardiomyocytes. This effect of NE on calpain was abrogated by gp91(phox)-NADPH oxidase inhibition or ROS scavengers and was mimicked by H(2)O(2) (25 microM) in cardiomyocytes. Pharmacological inhibitors of calpain or overexpression of calpastatin, a specific calpain inhibitor, blocked calpain activation and prevented cardiomyocyte apoptosis during NE stimulation. Furthermore, taurine treatment inhibited NE- or H(2)O(2)-induced calpain activation in cardiomyocytes. In conclusion, NADPH oxidase induces calpain activation, leading to apoptosis in NE-induced cardiomyocytes. Taurine inhibits NADPH oxidase and calpain activation. Thus, inhibition of NADPH oxidase-mediated calpain activation may be an important mechanism for taurine's antiapoptotic action in cardiomyocytes.     

Angiotensin II induces matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression via a nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells

Angiotensin II (AngII) is widely recognized as a critical regulator of the development of atherosclerosis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are thought to participate in plaque destabilization through degradation of the extracellular matrix. In the present study, we investigated the potential mechanism of AngII-induced MMP-9 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). AngII upregulated the expression of MMP-9 significantly in VSMC obtained from rat aorta. RNAi-mediated knockdown of p65 and losartan, an inhibitor of AngII receptors subtype-1 (AT₁), could abolish AngII-induced MMP-9 expression. In addition, AngII induced the NF-κB binding activity via AT₁ and AT₂ receptors in VSMC, and AngII-induced activation of NF-κB is not associated with significant downregulation of IκB. In summary, this study demonstrates that AngII stimulates NF-κB nuclear translocation in VSMC via AT₁ and AT₂. AngII increases the expression of MMP-9 in VSMC, and AT₁ and NF-κB pathways have an important role in this response.     

Inhibition of NADPH oxidase subunits translocation by tea catechin EGCG in mast cell

The inhibitory mechanism of tea catechins for allergy remains undefined. We studied the effect of catechins, mainly EGCG, on the activation of mast cell line canine cutaneous mastocytoma cells (CM-MC). Compound 48/80 induced the degranulation in CM-MC dose dependently, whereas its release of beta-hexosaminidase was inhibited by EGCG and O-methylated EGCG (EGCG-Me). Both catechins were found to inhibit intracellular ROS generation dose dependently together with DPI. Intracellular ROS generation in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes was also inhibited by EGCG. Neither L-NAME, ebeselen nor NAC inhibited ROS generation. From the Western blot analysis of the subunits components of NADPH oxidase, we detected cytosolic subunits; p47(phox), p67(phox), p40(phox), rac2 and membrane subunits; gp91(phox), p22(phox) in CM-MC. Cytosolic subunits were translocated from cytosol to membrane time dependently after stimulation with compound 48/80. EGCG and DPI inhibited cytosolic subunits from translocating into membrane. These data suggest that EGCG inhibits the activation of NADPH oxidase in CM-MC.     

Angiotensin II Reduces Cardiac AdipoR1 Expression through AT1 Receptor/ROS/ERK1/2/c-Myc Pathway

Adiponectin, an abundant adipose tissue-derived protein, exerts protective effect against cardiovascular disease. Adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) mediate the beneficial effects of adiponectin on the cardiovascular system. However, the alteration of AdipoRs in cardiac remodeling is not fully elucidated. Here, we investigated the effect of angiotensin II (AngII) on cardiac AdipoRs expression and explored the possible molecular mechanism. AngII infusion into rats induced cardiac hypertrophy, reduced AdipoR1 but not AdipoR2 expression, and attenuated the phosphorylations of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, and those effects were all reversed by losartan, an AngII type 1 (AT1) receptor blocker. AngII reduced expression of AdipoR1 mRNA and protein in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, which was abolished by losartan, but not by PD123319, an AT2 receptor antagonist. The antioxidants including reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger NAC, NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin, Nox2 inhibitor peptide gp91 ds-tat, and mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I inhibitor rotenone attenuated AngII-induced production of ROS and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. AngII-reduced AdipoR1 expression was reversed by pretreatment with NAC, apocynin, gp91 ds-tat, rotenone, and an ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that AngII provoked the recruitment of c-Myc onto the promoter region of AdipoR1, which was attenuated by PD98059. Moreover, AngII-induced DNA binding activity of c-Myc was inhibited by losartan, NAC, apocynin, gp91 ds-tat, rotenone, and PD98059. c-Myc small interfering RNA abolished the inhibitory effect of AngII on AdipoR1 expression. Our results suggest that AngII inhibits cardiac AdipoR1 expression in vivo and in vitro and AT1 receptor/ROS/ERK1/2/c-Myc pathway is required for the downregulation of AdipoR1 induced by AngII.     

JunB forms the majority of the AP-1 complex and is a target for redox regulation by receptor tyrosine kinase and G protein-coupled receptor agonists in smooth muscle cells

To understand the role of redox-sensitive mechanisms in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) growth, we have studied the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a thiol antioxidant, and diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), a potent NADH/NADPH oxidase inhibitor, on serum-, platelet-derived growth factor BB-, and thrombin-induced ERK2, JNK1, and p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activation; c-Fos, c-Jun, and JunB expression; and DNA synthesis. Both NAC and DPI completely inhibited agonist-induced AP-1 activity and DNA synthesis in VSMC. On the contrary, these compounds had differential effects on agonist-induced ERK2, JNK1, and p38 MAP kinase activation and c-Fos, c-Jun, and JunB expression. NAC inhibited agonist-induced ERK2, JNK1, and p38 MAP kinase activation and c-Fos, c-Jun, and JunB expression except for platelet-derived growth factor BB-induced ERK2 activation. In contrast, DPI only inhibited agonist-induced p38 MAP kinase activation and c-Fos and JunB expression. Antibody supershift assays indicated the presence of c-Fos and JunB in the AP-1 complex formed in response to all three agonists. In addition, cotransfection of VSMC with expression plasmids for c-Fos and members of the Jun family along with the AP-1-dependent reporter gene revealed that AP-1 with c-Fos and JunB composition exhibited a higher transactivating activity than AP-1 with other compositions tested. All three agonists significantly stimulated reactive oxygen species production, and this effect was inhibited by both NAC and DPI. Together, these results strongly suggest a role for redox-sensitive mechanisms in agonist-induced ERK2, JNK1, and p38 MAP kinase activation; c-Fos, c-Jun, and JunB expression; AP-1 activity; and DNA synthesis in VSMC. These results also suggest a role for NADH/NADPH oxidase activity in some subset of early signaling events such as p38 MAP kinase activation and c-Fos and JunB induction, which appear to be important in agonist-induced AP-1 activity and DNA synthesis in VSMC.     

Hyperosmotic stress-dependent NFkappaB activation is regulated by reactive oxygen species and IGF-1 in cultured cardiomyocytes

We have recently shown that hyperosmotic stress activates p65/RelB NFkappaB in cultured cardiomyocytes with dichotomic actions on caspase activation and cell death. It remains unexplored how NFkappaB is regulated in cultured rat cardiomyocytes exposed to hyperosmotic stress. We study here: (a) if hyperosmotic stress triggers reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and in turn whether they regulate NFkappaB and (b) if insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) modulates ROS production and NFkappaB activation in hyperosmotically-stressed cardiomyocytes. The results showed that hyperosmotic stress generated ROS in cultured cardiac myocytes, in particular the hydroxyl and superoxide species, which were inhibited by N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Hyperosmotic stress-induced NFkappaB activation as determined by IkappaBalpha degradation and NFkappaB DNA binding. NFkappaB activation and procaspase-3 and -9 fragmentation were prevented by NAC and IGF-1. However, this growth factor did not decrease ROS generation induced by hyperosmotic stress, suggesting that its actions over NFkappaB and caspase activation may be due to modulation of events downstream of ROS generation. We conclude that hyperosmotic stress induces ROS, which in turn activates NFkappaB and caspases. IGF-1 prevents NFkappaB activation by a ROS-independent mechanism.     

NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide anion-induced apoptosis is mediated via the JNK-dependent activation of NF-κB in cardiomyocytes exposed to high glucose

Hyperglycemia-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can lead to cardiomyocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction. However, the mechanism by which high glucose causes cardiomyocyte apoptosis is not clear. In this study, we investigated the signaling pathways involved in NADPH oxidase-derived ROS-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes under hyperglycemic conditions. H9c2 cells were treated with 5.5 or 33 mM glucose for 36 h. We found that 33 mM glucose resulted in a time-dependent increase in ROS generation as well as a time-dependent increase in protein expression of p22(phox), p47(phox), gp91(phox), phosphorylated IκB, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, as well as the nuclear translocation of NF-kB. Treatment with apocynin or diphenylene iodonium (DPI), NADPH oxidase inhibitors, resulted in reduced expression of p22(phox), p47(phox), gp91(phox), phosphorylated IκB, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38. In addition, treatment with JNK and NF-kB siRNAs blocked the activity of caspase-3. Furthermore, treatment with JNK, but not p38, siRNA inhibited the glucose-induced activation of NF-κB. Similar results were obtained in neonatal cardiomyocytes exposed to high glucose concentrations. Therefore, we propose that NADPH oxidase-derived ROS-induced apoptosis is mediated via the JNK-dependent activation of NF-κB in cardiomyocytes exposed to high glucose.     

Fibrotic response induced by angiotensin-II requires NAD(P)H oxidase-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in skeletal muscle cells

Fibrotic disorders are typified by excessive connective tissue and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition that precludes normal healing processes in different tissues. Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) is involved in the fibrotic response. Several muscular dystrophies are characterized by extensive fibrosis. However, the exact role of Ang-II in skeletal muscle fibrosis is unknown. Here we show that myoblasts responded to Ang-II by increasing protein levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2), collagen-III and fibronectin. These Ang-II-induced pro-fibrotic effects were mediated by AT-1 receptors. Remarkably, Ang-II induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) via a NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent mechanism, as shown by inhibition of ROS production via the NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors diphenylene iodonium (DPI) and apocynin. This increase in ROS is critical for Ang-II-induced fibrotic effects, as indicated by the decrease in Ang-II-induced CTGF and fibronectin levels by DPI and apocynin. We also show that Ang-II-induced ROS production and fibrosis require PKC activity as indicated by the generic PKC inhibitor chelerythrine.These results strongly suggest that the fibrotic response induced by Ang-II is mediated by AT-1 receptor and requires NAD(P)H-induced ROS in skeletal muscle cells.     

Angiotensin preconditioning of the heart

Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been found to exert preconditioning-like effect on mammalian hearts. Diverse mechanisms are known to exist to explain the cardioprotective abilities of Ang II preconditioning. The present study hypothesized, based on the recent report that Ang II generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) through NADPH oxidase, that Ang II preconditioning occurs through redox cycling. To test this hypothesis, a group of rat hearts was treated with Ang II in the absence or presence of an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, apocynin; or a cell-permeable ROS scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Ang II pretreatment improved postischemic ventricular recovery; reduced myocardial infarction; and decreased the number of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, indicating its ability to precondition the heart against ischemic injury. Both apocynin and NAC almost abolished the preconditioning ability of Ang II. Ang II resulted in increase in ROS activity in the heart, which was reduced by either NAC or apocynin. Ang II also increased both the NADPH oxidase subunits gp91 phox and p22phox mRNA expression, which was abolished with apocynin and NAC. Our results thus demonstrate that the Ang II preconditioning was associated with enhanced ROS activities and increased NADPH oxidase subunits p22phox and gp91phox expression. Both NAC and apocynin reduced ROS activities simultaneously abolishing preconditioning ability of Ang II, suggesting that Ang II preconditioning occurs through redox cycling. That both NAC and apocynin reduced ROS activities and abolished Ang II-mediated increase in p22phox and gp91phox activity further suggest that such redox cycling occurs via both NADPH oxidase-dependent and -independent pathways.     

High glucose-induced RhoA activation requires caveolae and PKCβ1-mediated ROS generation

Glomerular matrix accumulation is a hallmark of diabetic nephropathy. We previously showed that RhoA activation by high glucose in mesangial cells (MC) leads to matrix upregulation (Peng F, Wu D, Gao B, Ingram AJ, Zhang B, Chorneyko K, McKenzie R, Krepinsky JC. Diabetes 57: 1683-1692, 2008). Here, we study the mechanism whereby RhoA is activated. In primary rat MC, RhoA activation required glucose entry and metabolism. Broad PKC inhibitors (PMA, bisindolylmaleimide, G?6976), as well as specific PKCβ blockade with an inhibitor and small interfering RNA (siRNA), prevented RhoA activation by glucose. PKCβ inhibition also abrogated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by glucose. The ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) or NADPH oxidase inhibitors apocynin and DPI prevented glucose-induced RhoA activation. RhoA and some PKC isoforms localize to caveolae. Chemical disruption of these microdomains prevented RhoA and PKCβ1 activation by glucose. In caveolin-1 knockout cells, glucose did not induce RhoA and PKCβ1 activation; these responses were rescued by caveolin-1 reexpression. Furthermore, glucose-induced ROS generation was significantly attenuated by chemical disruption of caveolae and in knockout cells. Downstream of RhoA signaling, activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation was also inhibited by disrupting caveolae, was absent in caveolin-1 knockout MC and rescued by caveolin-1 reexpression. Finally, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 upregulation, mediated by AP-1, was prevented by RhoA signaling inhibition and by disruption or absence of caveolae. In conclusion, RhoA activation by glucose is dependent on PKCβ1-induced ROS generation, most likely through NADPH oxidase. The activation of PKCβ1 and its downstream effects, including upregulation of TGF-β1, requires caveolae. These microdomains are thus important mediators of the profibrogenic process associated with diabetic nephropathy.     

TNF-alpha/cycloheximide-induced apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells requires Rac1-regulated reactive oxygen species

Previously we have shown that both Rac1 and c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK1/2) are key proapoptotic molecules in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha/cycloheximide (CHX)-induced apoptosis in intestinal epithelial cells, whereas the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in apoptosis is unclear. The present studies tested the hypothesis that Rac1-mediated ROS production is involved in TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. In this study, we showed that TNF-alpha/CHX-induced ROS production and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-induced oxidative stress increased apoptosis. Inhibition of Rac1 by a specific inhibitor NSC23766 prevented TNF-alpha-induced ROS production. The antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), or rotenone (Rot), the mitochondrial electron transport chain inhibitor, attenuated mitochondrial ROS production and apoptosis. Rot also prevented JNK1/2 activation during apoptosis. Inhibition of Rac1 by expression of dominant negative Rac1 decreased TNF-alpha-induced mitochondrial ROS production. Moreover, TNF-alpha-induced cytosolic ROS production was inhibited by Rac1 inhibition, diphenyleneiodonium (DPI, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase), and NAC. In addition, DPI inhibited TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis as judged by morphological changes, DNA fragmentation, and JNK1/2 activation. Mitochondrial membrane potential change is Rac1 or cytosolic ROS dependent. Lastly, all ROS inhibitors inhibited caspase-3 activity. Thus these results indicate that TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis requires Rac1-dependent ROS production in intestinal epithelial cells.     

Notoginsenoside R1 inhibits TNF-alpha-induced fibronectin production in smooth muscle cells via the ROS/ERK pathway

The matrix fibronectin protein plays an important role in vascular remodeling. Notoginsenoside R1 is the main ingredient with cardiovascular activity in Panax notoginseng; however, its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. We report that notoginsenoside R1 significantly decreased TNF-alpha-induced activation of fibronectin mRNA, protein levels, and secretion in human arterial smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) in a dose-dependent manner. Notoginsenoside R1 scavenged hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a dose-dependent manner in the test tube. TNF-alpha significantly increased intracellular ROS generation and then ERK activation, which was blocked by notoginsenoside R1 or DPI and apocynin, inhibitors of NADPH oxidase, or the antioxidant NAC. Our data demonstrated that TNF-alpha-induced upregulation of fibronectin mRNA and protein levels occurs via activation of ROS/ERK, which was prevented by treatment with notoginsenoside R1, DPI, apocynin, NAC, or MAPK/ERK inhibitors PD098059 and U0126. Notoginsenoside R1 significantly inhibited H2O2-induced upregulation of fibronectin mRNA and protein levels and secretion; it also significantly inhibited TNF-alpha and H2O2-induced migration. These results suggest that notoginsenoside R1 inhibits TNF-alpha-induced ERK activation and subsequent fibronectin overexpression and migration in HASMCs by suppressing NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS generation and directly scavenging ROS.     

Agonist-dependent internalization of the angiotensin II type one receptor (AT1): role of C-terminus phosphorylation in recruitment of beta-arrestins

β-Arrestins play a role in AT₁ endocytosis by binding the cytoplasmic, C-terminus region T332–S338, the major site of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced phosphorylation. However, the processes responsible for recruiting β-arrestin to the activated receptor are poorly defined. In this study, we used CHO-K1 and HEK 293 cells expressing wild-type or mutant AT₁ to investigate two possibilities: activated AT₁ induces global relocation of β-arrestins to the plasma membrane or the phosphorylated C-terminus acts as bait to attract β-arrestins. Results obtained using high osmolarity and dominant-negative β-arrestin confirmed that internalization of AT₁ in both CHO-K1 and HEK 293 cells is predominately via clathrin-mediated endocytosis involving β-arrestin, and substitution of T332, S335, T336 and S338 with alanine to preclude phosphorylation markedly attenuated AT₁ internalization. Confocal microscopy revealed that wild-type AT₁ induced a time-dependent translocation of GFP-tagged β-arrestins 1 and 2 to the cell surface. In contrast, the TSTS/A mutant did not traffic β-arrestin 1 at all, and only trafficked β-arrestin 2 weakly. Results of rescue-type experiments were consistent with the idea that both β-arrestins are able to interact with the non-phosphorylated receptor, albeit with much lower affinity and β-arrestin 1 less so than β-arrestin 2. In conclusion, this study shows that the high affinity binding of β-arrestins to the phosphorylated C-terminus is the predominant mechanism of agonist-induced β-arrestin recruitment to the cell surface and AT₁ receptor.     

Molecular aspects of mechanical stress-induced cardiac hypertrophy

To elucidate the signal transduction pathway from external stimuli to nuclear gene expression in mechanical stress-induced cardiac hypertrophy, we examined the time course of activation of protein kinases such as Raf-1 kinase (Raf-1), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK), MAP kinases (MAPKs) and 90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (p90^rsk) in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Mechanical stretch rapidly activated Raf-1 and its maximal activation was observed at 1–2 min after stretch. The activity of MAPKK was also increased by stretch, with a peak at 5 min after stretch. In addition, MAPKs and p90^rsk were maximally activated at 8 min and at 10–30 min after stretch, respectively. Next, the relationship between mechanical stress-induced hypertrophy and the cardiac renin-angiotensin system was investigated. When the stretch-conditioned culture medium was transferred to the culture dish of non-stretched cardiac myocytes, the medium activated MAPK activity slightly but significantly, and the activation was completely blocked by the type 1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist, CV-11974. However, activation of Raf-1 and MAPKs provoked by stretching cardiomyocytes was only partially suppressed by pretreatment with CV-11974. These results suggest that mechanical stress activates the protein kinase cascade of phosphorylation in cardiac myocytes in the order of Raf-1, MAPKK, MAPKs and p90^rsk, and that angiotensin II, which is secreted from stretched myocytes, activates a part of these protein kinases.Abbreviations MAPK mitogen-activated protein kinase - MAPKK MAP kinase kinase - Raf-1 - Raf- 1 kinase p90^rsk, 90 kDa ribosomal S6 kinase; AngII - angiotensin II - MAPKKK MAP kinase kinase kinase - rMAPK recombinant MAPKK fused to gluthathione S transferase - MMAKK recombinant MAPK fused to maltose binding protein - MBP myelin basic protein - ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme     

Angiotensin III and IV activation of the brain AT1 receptor subtype in cardiovascular function

The present investigation determined that native angiotensins II and III (ANG II and III) were equipotent as pressor agents when ICV infused in alert rats, whereas native angiotensin IV (ANG IV) was less potent. An analogue of each of these angiotensins was prepared with a hydroxyethylamine (HEA) amide bond replacement at the N-terminus, yielding additional resistance to degradation. These three angiotensin analogues, HEA-ANG II, HEA-ANG III, and HEA-ANG IV, were equivalent with respect to maximum elevation in pressor responses when ICV infused; and each evidenced significantly extended durations of effect compared with their respective native angiotensin. Comparing analogues, HEA-ANG II had a significantly longer effect compared with HEA-ANG III, and HEA-ANG IV, whereas the latter were equivalent. Pretreatment with the AT₁ receptor subtype antagonist, Losartan (DuP753), blocked subsequent pressor responses to each of these analogues, suggesting that these responses were mediated by the AT₁ receptor subtype. Pretreatment with the specific AT₄ receptor subtype antagonist, Divalinal (HED 1291), failed to influence pressor responses induced by the subsequent infusion of these analogues. These results suggest an important role for Ang III, and perhaps ANG IV, in brain angiotensin pressor responses mediated by the AT₁ receptor subtype.     

Activation of endothelial NADPH oxidase during normoxic lung ischemia is KATP channel dependent

Previous studies have shown endothelial cell membrane depolarization and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in endothelial cells with abrupt reduction in shear stress (ischemia). This study evaluated the role of ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channels and NADPH oxidase in the ischemic response by using Kir6.2-/- and gp91(phox)-/- mice. To evaluate ROS generation, we subjected isolated perfused mouse lungs labeled with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein (DCF), hydroethidine (HE), or diphenyl-1-pyrenylphosphine (DPPP) to control perfusion followed by global ischemia. In wild-type C57BL/6J mice, imaging of subpleural endothelial cells showed a time-dependent increase in intensity for all three fluorescence probes with ischemia, which was blocked by preperfusion with cromakalim (a K(ATP) channel agonist) or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI, a flavoprotein inhibitor). Endothelial cell fluorescence with bis-oxonol, a membrane potential probe, increased during lung ischemia indicating cell membrane depolarization. The change in membrane potential with ischemia in lungs of gp91(phox)-/- mice was similar to wild type, but ROS generation did not occur. Lungs from Kir6.2-/- showed marked attenuation of the change in both membrane potential and ROS production. Thus membrane depolarization during lung ischemia requires the presence of a K(ATP) channel and is required for activation of NADPH oxidase and endothelial ROS generation.