Kv3.4通道参与15-羟二十碳四烯酸诱导的大鼠肺动脉收缩

通过组织浴槽血管环方法观察Kv3．4通道特异阻断剂BDS-Ⅰ对15-羟二十碳四烯酸（15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid,15-FETE）收缩肺动脉血管的影响;通过酶法分离、培养Wistar大鼠肺动脉血管平滑肌细胞（pulmonary artery smooth musclecells,PASMCs）,RT-PCR和Western blot技术观察15-HETE对大鼠PASMCs上Kv3．4通道表达的影响,以探讨Kv3．4通道在15-HETE收缩肺动脉过程中的作用。结果如下：（1）15-HETE以浓度依赖方式使肺动脉环张力增加,对缺氧组大鼠肺动脉环张力作用更为明显,与正常对照组相比差异显著;（2）除去肺动脉内皮后,15-HETE引起血管收缩的强度较内皮完整时增强,呈剂量依赖性收缩反应;（3）阻断Kv3．4通道可抑制15-HETE收缩肺动脉;（4）15-HETE下调PASMCs膜上Kv3．4通道mRNA及蛋白质表达。上述观察结果提示Kv3．4通道参与由15-HETE引起的缺氧肺动脉血管收缩（hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction,HPV）。     

15-羟二十碳四烯酸下调肺动脉内皮型一氧化氮合酶的活性

15-羟二十碳四烯酸（15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid,15-HETE）在低氧性肺血管收缩中起着重要作用,低氧肺动脉高压下调内皮型。氧化氮合酶（endothelial nitric oxide synthase,eNOS）,使一氧化氮（nitric oxide,NO）的产量下降,但目前尚无关于15-HETE与eNOS／NO相互作用研究的报道。我们通过Wistar大鼠肺动脉环张力、牛肺动脉内皮细胞NO产量、总eNOS表达及eNOS磷酸化测定等方法对15-HETE与eNOS／NO的相互作用进行研究。首先分离人鼠肺动脉,分为eNOS抑制剂L-NAME组（0．1mmol／L）、去缸管内皮组与内皮完整组,用15-HETE作用夫鼠离体肺动脉环,测定肺动脉张力。结果表明,L-NAME组、去除内皮组与内皮完整组分别比较,15-HETE对血管的收缩作用增强,且都有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。培养牛肺动脉内皮细胞,分别用15-HETE、15-脂氧酶（15-lipoxygenase,15-LO）抑制剂[（cinnamyl 3,4-dihydroxy-[alpha]-cyanocinnamate,CDC）和（nordihydroguiairetic acid,YDGA）]处理细胞,通过Greiss方法检测亚硝酸盐含量,间接测定NO产量,与对照组比较,1μmol／L 15-HETE明显降低肺动脉内皮细胞NO水平（P〈0．05）,10μmol／L CDC和0．1mmol／L NDGA显著增加NO水平（分别是P〈0．05,P〈0．01）;通过Western blot检测不同时间（5,10,15,20,30,60min）eNOS的表达情况,结果显示,15-HETE的不同作用时间,没有引起eNOS表达的明显不同;用苏氨酸495位点磷酸化eNOS（Thr495）抗体进行免疫沉淀,再用总eNOS抗体和15-LO抗体通过Western blot检测磷酸化型含量,问接测定eNOS活性,结果表明15-HETE增强Thr495磷酸化型eNOS含量。由于Thr495为eNOS抑制性磷酸化位点,因此15-HETE降低eNOS活性。这些数据表明：15-HETE的缩血管作用有eNOS／NO参与,15-HETE可以通过磷酸化Thr495位点降低eNOS活性,并且首次发现磷酸化eNOS（Thr495）和15-LO之间存在蛋白质相互作用。     

银杏内酯诱导原代培养神经元低氧诱导因子1α的表达及与ERK通路的关系

目的：研究银杏内酯（Gin）对氯化钴（CoCl2）诱导的化学性缺氧原代培养神经元低氧诱导因子-α（HIF—1α）表达的影响及其与细胞外信号调节激酶（ERK）信号通路之间的关系。方法：以CoCl2（125μmol／L）诱导的原代培养胚胎小鼠大脑皮层神经元为缺氧模型,观察Gin（终浓度37．5mg／L）对神经细胞形态和活力的影响,Western blot HIF—1α和磷酸化ERK（p-ERK）的表达：运用ERK特异性抑制剂PD98059观察HIF-1α表达与ERK通路之间的关系。结果：Gin能明显提高CoCl2处理的神经细胞的活力、在正常培养的皮层神经元中HIF—1α和p-ERK的表达水平较低,CoCl2处理4h后表达水平明显上调;Gin预处理24h其表达强度进一步提高PD98059能部分抑制CoCl2诱导的HIF-1α的表达,显著抑制p-ERK的表达;预加Gin能完全阻止该抑制作用：结论：Gin对CoCl2诱导的化学性缺氧损伤神经元有保护作用,该作用与HIF-1α表达上调、ERK通路的激活有关     

ERK1/2参与自发性高血压大鼠离体血管环对apelin-13舒张反应性降低作用

研究自发性高血压大鼠(spontanously hypertensive rat,SHR)离体血管环对G蛋白偶联受体APJ的内源性配体apelin-13的血管收缩与舒张反应及其与一氧化氮(NO)和ERK1/2通路关系．采用离体血管环体外灌流方法用Power-Lab生物信息采集仪检测血管环的张力．实验分组如下：新福林(Phenylephrine,PE)组,乙酰胆碱(acetylcholine,Ach)组,apelin-13组,apelin-13 + PE组,apelin-13 + Ach组,PD98059(ERK1/2抑制剂) + PE组,PD98059 + Ach组,LNNA(L-nitro-arginine,硝基左旋精氨酸,一氧化氮合酶抑制剂) + PE组,LNNA+Ach组,apelin-13(预孵育) + PD98059 + PE组,apelin-13(预孵育)+PD98059+ Ach组,apelin-13(预孵育) + LNNA + PE组和apelin-13(预孵育) + LNNA + Ach组,以WKY大鼠血管环为对照组．培养大鼠血管平滑肌细胞,Western blot检测ERK1/2蛋白表达．结果显示：a．apelin-13对于有内皮的血管表现出浓度依赖性舒张作用,血管舒张百分比SHR < WKY大鼠,而对于去除内皮血管,apelin-13则表现出收缩血管的作用,且收缩张力SHR>WKY大鼠,apelin-13预孵育,能减少SHR和WKY大鼠血管对新福林的缩血管反应性,增加对乙酰胆碱的舒张反应性;b．NOS抑制剂LNNA阻断NO形成后,血管环对apelin-13的舒张反应明显抑制,且SHR组较WKY组对apelin的舒张反应减少更明显,提示apelin-13的舒血管效应至少部分依赖NO通路,而SHR高血压大鼠NO通路障碍减弱了apelin对血管的舒张作用;c．ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059预孵育后血管环对apelin-13表现出浓度依赖性的收缩,与去除内皮后apelin-13的收缩血管效应趋势一致,血管收缩张力SHR＞WKY大鼠,PD98059逆转了apelin-13引起的血管舒张效应;d．Apelin-13促大鼠VSMCs ERK1/2磷酸化增加并呈剂量依赖性和时间依赖性,ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059可以减少apelin-13诱导ERK1/2的磷酸化．结果表明,自发性高血压大鼠离体血管环对apelin-13舒张反应性降低, NO通路和ERK1/2通路介导了apelin-13的舒张血管作用．     

细胞外信号调节激酶活化在慢性支气管哮喘大鼠气道平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用

本文旨在探讨细胞外信号调节激酶（extracellular signal-regulated kinase,ERK）在慢性支气管哮喘大鼠气道平滑肌细胞（airway smooth muscle cells,ASMCs）增殖中的作用。建立慢性哮喘大鼠模型,用ERK激动剂表皮生长因子（epidermal growth factor,EGF）和抑制剂PD98059干预慢性哮喘大鼠ASMCs的培养。采用流式细胞仪、四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）法、^3H-thymidine（TdR）掺入法和增殖细胞核抗原（proliferating cell nuclear antigen,PCNA）免疫组织化学法检测ASMCs增殖情况,观察ERK信号通路对ASMCs增殖的影响。RT-PCR和Western blot检测ERK mRNA和ERK1／2、磷酸化ERK1／2（p-ERK1／2）蛋白的表达。与正常对照组ASMCs比较,慢性哮喘组ASMCs的G0/G1期细胞所占比例明显减少,S＋G2／M期细胞所占比例增高;吸光度（A490）值、细胞DNA合成量和PCNA阳性表达量均明显增加,ERK mRNA、ERK1／2蛋白、P-ERK1／2蛋白的表达量以及ERK活化率显著增高。经PD98059干预之后,慢性哮喘组ASMCs的S＋G2／M期细胞所占比例、A490值、细胞DNA合成量和PCNA阳性表达量明显降低,ERK mRNA、ERK1／2蛋白、p-ERK1／2蛋白的表达量以及ERK活化率显著降低。经EGF干预后,慢性哮喘组ASMCs的S＋G2／M期细胞所占比例、A490值、细胞DNA合成量和PCNA阳性表达量进一步增高,而这一作用可以被PD98059抑制。以上结果提示,慢性哮喘大鼠ASMCs内源性增殖活性增加,ERK1／2参与其增殖活性的调控,ERK信号通路在哮喘气道重建的ASMCs增殖调控中具有重要作用。     

15-HETE对缺氧兔肺动脉平滑肌钾离子通道的影响

用肺动脉环和全细胞膜片钳技术研究15-羟化二十烷四烯酸(15-HETE)对缺氧兔肺动脉平滑肌钾离子通道的影响。新出生的幼兔分两组,一组放入吸氧分数为0．12的低氧舱内;另一组保持正常氧环境。9d后,称重、取肺动脉进行细胞培养并制作肺动脉环。分别加入4-氨基吡啶(4-aminopyridione,4-AP)、四乙胺(tetraethylammonium,TEA)、glyburide(GLYB)三种特异性钾离子通道阻断剂,观察15-HETE对兔肺动脉平滑肌钾离子通道的作用变化,同时采用全细胞膜片钳测定钾电流。结果显示：5mmol／L 4-AP阻断Kv通道后可以抑制15-HETE诱导的缺氧兔肺动脉收缩;TEA和GLYB分别阻断大电导型钙激活钾通道(BKCa)和KATP通道后并不影响15-HETE诱导的缺氧兔肺动脉收缩;15-HETE可降低兔肺动脉平滑肌细胞钾电流幅度。上述结果提示：缺氧兔肺动脉中,15-HETE阻断电压依赖钾通道(Kv通道),引起膜去极化,可能是缺氧性肺血管收缩的机制之一。     

格列苯脲调节大鼠低氧高二氧化碳性肺血管收缩时ERK1/2信号的作用

目的：探究ATP敏感性钾离子通道在低氧高二氧化碳性肺血管收缩（HHPV）中的作用及与细胞外信号调节激酶1/2（ERl（1/2）信号通路的关系。方法：制备正常SD大鼠离体三级肺动脉环,建立大鼠离体肺动脉环灌流的模型,用格列本脲（Cly）、ely＋U0126（ERK1/2抑制剂）联合孵育三级肺动脉环,按照低氧高二氧化碳反应性测定方法测定所有血管环的张力值。结果：①常氧状态下,三级肺动脉环的张力值无明显变化;②急性低氧高二氧化碳条件下,三级肺动脉环呈现双向性的收缩（与常氧状态下值相比,P〈0．05,P〈0．01）;③经Gly孵育的三级肺动脉环,其Ⅱ期收缩幅度增强（与低氧高二氧化碳状态下值相比,P〈0．05,P〈0．01）;④急性低氧高二氧化碳条件下,U0126能使Gly所致的三级肺动脉环Ⅱ期持续收缩幅度显著降低（与低氧高二氧化碳状态下值相比,P〈0．05,P〈0．01）,I期收缩和I期舒张均没有明显变化（P均〉0．05）。结论：ATP敏感性钾离子通道（KAlP）阻断剂-Gly可能通过活化ERK1/2信号通路介导了大鼠HHPV的发生。     

丝裂原活化的细胞外信号调节激酶在金黄色葡萄球菌诱导的U937细胞凋亡中的作用

目的探讨细胞外信号调节激酶（ERK1／2）在金黄色葡萄球菌（简称金葡菌）诱导的人巨噬细胞系U937细胞凋亡中的作用。方法采用AnnexinVFITc／PI双染流式细胞仪检测U937细胞凋亡,用Westernblotting方法分析不同作用时间MEK和ERK1／2的磷酸化水平。预先用不同浓度的PD98059（ERK途径抑制剂）处理U937细胞1h,观察金葡菌感染30min后U937细胞的凋亡情况。结果U937细胞经过金葡菌处理后,发生凋亡,细胞凋亡率呈时间依赖性升高;随着感染时间的延长,MEK和ERK1／2的磷酸化水平逐渐增加,尤以ERK2比较明显。U937细胞的凋亡可被PD98059抑制。结论金葡菌以时间依赖的方式诱导U937细胞凋亡;金葡菌诱导U937细胞凋亡的效应与激活ERK1／2信号转导通路有关。     

细胞外信号调节激酶在小鼠神经干细胞增殖中的作用

本文旨在探讨细胞外信号调节激酶(extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, ERK1/2)对小鼠神经干细胞增殖的影响.分离E14.5小鼠皮层神经干细胞,通过Western blot检测神经干细胞增殖过程中磷酸化ERK1/2的表达情况,以及不同浓度PD98059处理对神经干细胞ERK1/2磷酸化及神经球形成的影响,并用CCK-8法检测PD98059对神经干细胞增殖的影响.结果显示:ERK1/2在体外培养的神经下细胞增殖过程中被激活;PD98059显著抑制ERK1/2磷酸化及神经干细胞的成球率,且存在剂量效应依赖关系;加入PD98059后神经干细胞的生长被抑制.以上结果表明,ERK1/2在小鼠神经干细胞增殖中具有重要的作用,阻断ERK1/2信号通路后可抑制神经干细胞的增殖.     

细胞外信号调节激酶1/2信号通路在慢性哮喘模型大鼠支气管平滑肌细胞迁移功能变化中的调控作用

本研究旨在探讨细胞外信号调节激酶1／2(extracellular signal-regulated kinase,ERK1/2)信号通路在慢性哮喘模型大鼠支气管平滑肌细胞(bronchial smooth muscle cells,BSMCs)迁移能力改变中的调控作用。应用卵清蛋白致敏和雾化方法制备大鼠慢性哮喘模型,体外培养大鼠BSMCs,采用免疫荧光细胞化学、Western blot和RT-PCR方法检测ERK1／2信号通路的表达,分别用平面迁移实验和跨膜迁移实验来评价BSMCs的活动和趋向迁移能力,并比较用和不用ERK1／2信号通路干预剂的差异。Western blot结果显示慢性哮喘模型大鼠BSMCs中总ERK1／2(9．13±0．87)较对照组(4．68±0．59)明显增加,磷酸化ERK1／2(p-ERK1/2)占总ERK1／2的比值(0．55±0．05)较对照组(0．48±0．04)显著提高(n=10,P<0．01)。慢性哮喘组ERK1和ERK2 mRNA的表达(1．83±0．24和1．07±0．11)较对照组(0．58±0．14和0．51±0．12)明显增高(n=10,P<0．01)。在平面迁移实验中,慢性哮喘大鼠BSMCs的迁移最远距离是对照组的(2．9±0．1)倍,在ERK1／2激动剂表皮生长因子(epidermal growth factor, EGF)刺激下增加到(5．0±0．2)倍,而在30μmol／L PD98059的作用后下降到(1．7±0．2)倍。正常对照大鼠BSMCs平面迁移能力对PD98059的反应较慢性哮喘组弱,仅在100μmol／L PD98059的作用下下降到(0．8±0．1)倍。跨膜迁移实验中,慢性哮喘大鼠BSMCs的跨膜迁移细胞是对照组的(1．9±0．1)倍,在EGF刺激下增加到(3．1±0．2)倍,而在30μmol/L PD98059作用后下降到(1.45±0.2)倍。这些结果表明慢性哮喘模型大鼠BSMCs的迁移能力明显增强,ERK1／2信号通路在该功能变化的调控中可能发挥了重要作用。     

Role of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid in phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and caldesmon in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells

We have reported that 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) induces pulmonary artery (PA) contraction in rats exposed to hypoxia by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). In this study, we investigated the characteristics of 15-HETE mediating phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and caldesmon in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Our data showed that 15-HETE upregulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner, which could be blocked by ERK pathway inhibitors U0126 and PD98059. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was attenuated by inhibiting endogenous 15-HETE formation with lipoxygenase inhibitor, cinnamyl 3,4-dihydroxy-[alpha]-cyanocinnamate (CDC), in both normoxic and hypoxic PASMCs. ERK1/2 phosphorylation in response to 15-HETE was detected in cytosol as well as in nucleus and phosphorylatd ERK1/2 partly translocated into nucleus, which could be blocked by PD98059. In addition, caldesmon was phosphorylated in 15-HETE-stimulated cells; this could be inhibited by PD98059. These data demonstrated that 15-HETE is associated with ERK1/2 activation and caldesmon phosphorylation in PASMCs and that 15-HETE is at least partly involved in mediating activation of hypoxia-initiated ERK pathway, possibly leading to hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.     

Hypoxia promotes rabbit pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation through a 15-LOX-2 product 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid

The initial event of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension is acute hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction followed by remodeling of pulmonary arteries. Although 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid [15(S)-HETE] is found to be able to induce hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, role of 15(S)-HETE in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) proliferation has been studied less. We sought evidence for a role of 15(S)-HETE in the development of hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. We found that hypoxia enhances 15-lipoxygenase-2 (15-LOX-2) expression and stimulates cultured rabbit PASMCs proliferation. 15(S)-HETE at concentration 0.1 μM stimulated proliferation of PASMCs and induced ERK 1/ERK 2 phosphorylation but had no effect on p38 kinase expression as assessed by Western blotting. 15(S)-HETE-stimulated PASMC proliferation was blocked by the MEK inhibitors PD-98059. Hypoxia (3% O(2))-stimulated PASMC proliferation was blocked by U0126, a MEK inhibitor, as well as by NDGA and CDC, inhibitors of 15-LOX, but not by the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB-202190. We conclude that 15-LOX-2 and its product, 15(S)-HETE, are important intermediates in hypoxia-induced rabbit PASMC proliferation and may participate in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension.     

Cellular mechanisms and intracellular signaling pathways for the modulation of eNOS in pulmonary arteries by 15-HETE

The 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), a lipid metabolite and vasoconstrictor, plays an important role in hypoxic contraction of pulmonary arteries (PAs) through working on smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Previous studies have shown that vascular endothelium is also involved in PAs tone regulation. However, little is known as to how the pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) are related to the 15-HETE-induced vasoconstriction and that which intracellular signaling systems are critical. To test this hypothesis, we examined PAs constriction in isolated rat PAs rings, the expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) with western blot, and nitric oxide (NO) production using the DAF-FM DA fluorescent indicator. The results showed that the 15-HETE-induced PAs constriction was diminished in endothelium-intact rings. In the presence of the eNOS inhibitor L-NAME, vasoconstrictor responses to KCl were greater than the control. The activation of eNOS was activated by Ca²⁺ released from intracellular stores and the PI3K/Akt pathway. Phosphorylations of the eNOS at Ser-1177 and Akt at Ser-473 were necessary for their activity. A prolonged 15-HETE treatment (30?min) led to a decrease in NO production by phosphorylation of eNOS at Thr-495, leading to augmentation of PAs constriction. Therefore, 15-HETE initially inhibited the PAs constriction through the endothelial NO system, and both Ca²⁺ and the PI3K/Akt signaling systems are required for the effects of 15-HETE on PAs tone regulation.     

Activation of ERK pathway is required for 15-HETE-induced angiogenesis in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells

Angiogenesis plays a critical role in the progression of cardiovascular disease, retinal ischemia, or tumorigenesis. The imbalance of endothelial cell proliferation and apoptosis disturbs the establishment of the vasculogenesis, which is affected by several arachidonic acid metabolites. 15-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) is one of the metabolites. However, the underlying mechanisms of angiogenesis induced by 15-HETE in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) are still poorly understood. Since extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is a critical regulator of cell proliferation, there may be a crosstalk between 15-HETE-regulating angiogenic process and ERK-proliferative effect in HUVECs. To test this hypothesis, we study the effect of 15-HETE on cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis using cell viability measurement, cell cycle analysis, western blot, scratch–wound, tube formation assay, and nuclear morphology determination. We found that 15-HETE promoted HUVEC angiogenesis, which were mediated by ERK. Moreover, 15-HETE-induced proliferation and cell cycle transition from the G₀/G₁ phase to the G₂/M?+?S phase. All these effects were reversed after blocking ERK with PD98059 (an ERK inhibitor). In addition, HUVEC apoptosis was relieved by 15-HETE through the ERK pathway. Thus, ERK is necessary for the effects of 15-HETE in the regulation of HUVEC angiogenesis, which may be a novel potential target for the treatment of angiogenesis-related diseases.     

Hypoxia suppresses KV1.5 channel expression through endogenous 15-HETE in rat pulmonary artery

Hypoxia initiated pulmonary vasoconstriction is due to the inhibition of voltage-gated K(+) (K(V)) channels. But the mechanism is unclear. We have evidence that hypoxia activates 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) in distal pulmonary arteries and increases the formation of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoate (15-HETE). 15-HETE-induced pulmonary artery constriction to be through the inhibition of K(V) channels (K(V)1.5, K(V)2.1 and K(V)3.4). However, no direct link among hypoxia, 15-HETE and inhibition of K(V) subtypes is established. Therefore, we investigated whether 15-LOX/15-HETE pathway contributes to the hypoxia-induced down-regulation of K(V) channels. As K(V)1.5 channel is O(2)-sensitive, it was chosen in the initial study. We found that inhibition of 15-LOX suppressed the response of hypoxic pulmonary artery rings to phenylephrine. The expressions of K(V)1.5 channel mRNA and protein was robustly up-regulated in cultured PASMC and pulmonary artery after blocking of 15-LOX by lipoxygenase inhibitors in hypoxia. The 15-LOX blockade also partly rescued the voltage-gated K(+) current (I(K(V))). 15-HETE contributes to the down-regulation of K(V)1.5 channel, inhibition of I(K(V)) and increase of native pulmonary artery tension after hypoxia. Hypoxia inhibits K(V)1.5 channel through 15-LOX/15-HETE pathway.     

Cellular mechanisms and intracellular signaling pathways for the modulation of eNOS in pulmonary arteries by 15-HETE

The 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), a lipid metabolite and vasoconstrictor, plays an important role in hypoxic contraction of pulmonary arteries (PAs) through working on smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Previous studies have shown that vascular endothelium is also involved in PAs tone regulation. However, little is known as to how the pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) are related to the 15-HETE-induced vasoconstriction and that which intracellular signaling systems are critical. To test this hypothesis, we examined PAs constriction in isolated rat PAs rings, the expression and activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) with western blot, and nitric oxide (NO) production using the DAF-FM DA fluorescent indicator. The results showed that the 15-HETE-induced PAs constriction was diminished in endothelium-intact rings. In the presence of the eNOS inhibitor L-NAME, vasoconstrictor responses to KCl were greater than the control. The activation of eNOS was activated by Ca2? released from intracellular stores and the PI3K/Akt pathway. Phosphorylations of the eNOS at Ser-1177 and Akt at Ser-473 were necessary for their activity. A prolonged 15-HETE treatment (30 min) led to a decrease in NO production by phosphorylation of eNOS at Thr-495, leading to augmentation of PAs constriction. Therefore, 15-HETE initially inhibited the PAs constriction through the endothelial NO system, and both Ca2? and the PI3K/Akt signaling systems are required for the effects of 15-HETE on PAs tone regulation.     

Overexpression of TRPC1 enhances pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by capacitative Ca2+ entry

Transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels are a critical pathway for Ca2+ entry during pulmonary artery (PA) smooth muscle contraction. However, whether canonical TRP (TRPC) subunits and which TRP channel isoforms are involved in store depletion-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction in vivo remain unclear. This study was designed to test whether overexpression of the human TRPC1 gene (hTRPC1) in rat PA enhances pulmonary vasoconstriction due to store depletion-mediated Ca2+ influx. The hTRPC1 was infected into rat PA rings with an adenoviral vector. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses confirmed the mRNA and protein expression of hTRPC1 in the arterial rings. The amplitude of active tension induced by 40 mM K+ (40K) in PA rings infected with an empty adenoviral vector (647 +/- 88 mg/mg) was similar to that in PA rings infected with hTRPC1 (703 +/- 123 mg/mg, P = 0.3). However, the active tension due to capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE) induced by cyclopiazonic acid was significantly enhanced in PA rings overexpressing hTRPC1 (91 +/- 13% of 40K-induced contraction) compared with rings infected with an empty adenoviral vector (61 +/- 14%, P < 0.001). Endothelial expression of hTRPC1 was not involved since the CCE-induced vasoconstriction was also enhanced in endothelium-denuded PA rings infected with the adenoviral vector carrying hTRPC1. These observations demonstrate that hTRPC1 is an important Ca(2+)-permeable channel that mediates pulmonary vasoconstriction when PA smooth muscle cell intracellular Ca2+ stores are depleted.