Enhanced endothelial nitric oxide-synthase activity in mice infected with Trypanosoma brucei

Infection of humans with Trypanosoma brucei causes sleeping sickness, which is invariably fatal if left untreated. The course of infection is characterised, among others, by multiple organ damage including cardiovascular dysfunctions such as hypotension and breakdown of the blood-brain barrier. The latter eventually leads to the parasite invasion into central nervous system and ultimately to the death of the patient. Nitric oxide (NO) synthesised from L-arginine via endothelial NO-synthase (eNOS) is involved in the control of vascular tone and permeability. The present study explores the effect of T. brucei infection on the endothelium-dependent in vitro vasomotor response of isolated mouse aortas. Aorta rings were suspended in organ chambers for isometric tension recording. The endothelium-dependent NO-mediated relaxation in response to acetylcholine (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) was markedly enhanced in the infected mice compared to controls (P<0.05), whereas the endothelium-independent vasodilation to an exogenous NO-donor, sodium nitroprusside, was comparable in both groups. Norepinephrine-stimulated contraction was also comparable in the absence or presence of the NO-synthase inhibitor N(omega)-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10(-4)M) in both groups. The enhanced endothelium-dependent relaxation in the infected mice correlated well with a 3.5-fold increase in eNOS protein level in these aortas as compared to those of control mice (P=0.05). Thus, T. brucei infection enhances eNOS protein expression in the endothelium, causing a pronounced vasodilation. Overproduction of NO in trypanosomiasis may be involved in the observed generalised hypotension and in an increased vascular permeability that facilitates T. brucei invasion into surrounding tissues and its penetration into the central nervous system in later phases of infection.     

Estrogen modulation of endothelium-derived relaxing factors by human endothelial cells

We report the modulatory effects of estrogen on release of endothelium-derived relaxing factors (EDRFs) in a human endothelial cell line, EA.hy926. Using bioassay, we showed that EA.hy926 released EDRF including nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) measured by relaxation of pre-contracted endothelium-denuded rabbit aortic rings. This EDRF production was significantly higher in cells treated for 24 h with 17-beta-estradiol (10(-6)mol/L) than control cells. Addition of L-NAME to the perfusate of cells caused the relaxation induced by the endothelial cell perfusate to become transient and abolished the enhancement of relaxation due to estrogen treatment. Addition of K(Ca) channel blockers to the perfusate abolished the L-NAME-resistant relaxation of the bioassay ring. Using real-time PCR, we demonstrated that eNOS expression in estrogen-treated cells was significantly higher than controls. These results show that estrogen exerts a potentially important vasculo-protective effect by stimulating NO but not EDHF production.     

EDRF对PE引起的大鼠主动脉缩血管效应的作用

本文研究ＥＤＲＦ（ｅｎｄｏｔｈｅｌｉｕｍ－ｄｅｒｉｖｅｄｒｅｌａｘｉｎｇｆａｃｔｏｒ,ＥＤＲＦ）对ＰＥ（ｐｈｅｎｙｌｅｐｈｒｉｎｅ）引起的大鼠主动脉收缩反应的影响。内皮完整和去内皮的大鼠主动脉环悬挂于器官浴槽中,测定血管的张力和收缩速度的变化。所有的实验在消炎痛（ｉｎｄｏｍｅｔｈａｃｉｎ,１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）存在下进行。用美兰（ｍｅｔｈｙｌｅｎｅｂｌｕｅ,ＭＢ,１０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）或左旋硝基精氨酸（ＮＧ－ｎｉｔｒｏ－Ｌ－ａｒｇｉｎｉｎｅ,Ｌ－ＮＮＡ,３０μｍｏｌ／Ｌ）处理内皮完整的大鼠主动脉环,ＰＥ的剂量－收缩张力曲线明显左移,ＥＣ３０值均降低５倍,最大反应比率分别为１．６±０．４和１．６±０．５。在去内皮的大鼠主动脉环中,经ＭＢ和Ｌ－ＮＮＡ处理后,仍可见ＥＣ３０下降３倍,最大反应比率均为１．０±０．２。后者可能与血管平滑肌产生少量ＥＤＲＦ有关。我们的结果提示ＰＥ对血管的收缩反应也受血管内皮和平滑肌产生的ＥＤＲＦ的调控     

Phosphorylation of phospholamban correlates with relaxation of coronary artery induced by nitric oxide,adenosine, and prostacyclin in the pig

The intracellular mechanisms underlying the action of the endogenous vasodilators such as NO/EDRF, adenosine, and prostacyclin acting through cGMP and cAMP, respectively, are not well understood. One important action of cyclic nucleotides in smooth muscle relaxation is to lower the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration by enhanced sequestration into the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The present study was undertaken to elucidate the potential role of phosphorylation of phospholamban, the regulator of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ pump, for the control of coronary vascular tone by NO/EDRF, adenosine, and prostacyclin. Phospholamban was identified in pig coronary artery preparations by immunofluorescence microscopy, Western blotting and in vitro phosphorylation. Segments of pig coronary artery, with either intact or denuded endothelium, were precontracted with prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α). In endothelium-denuded preparations 3-morpholinosydnonimine (SIN-1), 5′-N-ethylcarboxiamidoadenosine (NECA), and iloprost (ILO) caused both relaxation and phospholamban phosphorylation with the potency: SIN-1 > NECA > ILO. The regulatory myosin light chain was significantly dephosphorylated only by SIN-1. In endothelium-intact pig coronary artery, L-NAME caused additional vasoconstriction and a decrease in phospholamban phosphorylation, while phosphorylation of myosin light chain remained unchanged. An inverse relationship between phospholamban phosphorylation and vessel tone was obtained. Our findings demonstrate significant phospholamban phosphorylation during coronary artery relaxation evoked by NO, prostacyclin, and adenosine receptor activation. Because of the close correlation between phosphorylation of phospholamban and vessel relaxation, we propose that phospholamban phosphorylation is an important mechanism by which endogenous vasodilators, especially endothelial NO/EDRF, control coronary vascular smooth muscle tone. J. Cell. Biochem. 70:49–59, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Theoretical analysis of biochemical pathways of nitric oxide release from vascular endothelial cells

Vascular endothelium expressing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) produces nitric oxide (NO), which has a number of important physiological functions in the microvasculature. The rate of NO production by the endothelium is a critical determinant of NO distribution in the vascular wall. We have analyzed the biochemical pathways of NO synthesis and formulated a model to estimate NO production by the microvascular endothelium under physiological conditions. The model quantifies the NO produced by eNOS based on the kinetics of NO synthesis and the availability of eNOS and its intracellular substrates. The predicted NO production from microvessels was in the range of 0.005-0.1 microM/s. This range of predicted values is in agreement with some experimental values but is much lower than other rates previously measured or estimated from experimental data with the help of mathematical modeling. Paradoxical discrepancies between the model predictions and previously reported results based on experimental measurements of NO concentration in the vicinity of the arteriolar wall suggest that NO can also be released through eNOS-independent mechanisms, such as catalysis by neuronal NOS (nNOS). We also used our model to test the sensitivity of NO production to substrate availability, eNOS concentration, and potential rate-limiting factors. The results indicated that the predicted low level of NO production can be attributed primarily to a low expression of eNOS in the microvascular endothelial cells.     

Colocalization of eNOS and the catalytic subunit of PKA in endothelial cell junctions: a clue for regulated NO production.

Localization and coordinate phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) are critical determinants for the basal and stimulated production of nitric oxide. Several phosphorylation sites in eNOS have been identified as targets of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). Basal eNOS activity is also regulated by interaction with caveolin-1, the major coat protein of caveolae. In the present study we have examined in rat aorta endothelium the subcellular steady-state distribution of eNOS, the catalytic subunit of PKA (PKA-c), and caveolin-1. Basal eNOS expression was found in two distinct locations, the endothelial cell surface and the Golgi complex. Cell surface eNOS was equally distributed over caveolar and non-caveolar membranes but was 2.5-fold enriched on luminal lamellipodia located at endothelial cell contacts. PKA-c colocalized with eNOS in the lamellipodia, whereas caveolin-1 was absent from these membrane domains. PKA-c was also found associated with cell surface caveolae and with tubulovesicular membranes of Golgi complex and endosomes. The topological proximity of eNOS with the catalytic subunit of PKA in restricted intracellular locations may provide mechanisms for differential PKA-mediated eNOS regulation.     

Production of hydrogen peroxide in rat corpus cavernosum: an on-line study with microvoltammetric electrodes

Continuous measurements were realized in rat corpus cavernosum using microvoltammetric captor. After inhibition of endothelial NO-synthase by L-NMA vasodilatation was induced by intracavernous injection of acetylcholine. Blood flow of rat penis was monitored by laser Doppler. A new peak appeared in reduction. It was identified as hydrogen peroxide by its peak potential, by intracavernous injection of hydrogen peroxide or catalase. Intracavernous injection of various pharmacological agents permitted to demonstrate that its origin was due to endothelial NAD(P)H oxidases. DPI inhibited its synthesis; NADH and NADPH enhanced it. Intracavernous injection of diethyldithiocarbamic acid gave the disappearance of hydrogen peroxide peak and appearance of the superoxide peak. This preliminary study showed that when the L-arginine pathway was inhibited, the NAD(P)H oxidase pathway functioned in rat corpus cavernosum for vasodilatation.     

The effect of methylmercury (CH3HgCl) on the production of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) by cultured human umbilical vascular endothelial cells based on its anti-aggregatory effect on human platelets

The effect of methylmercury (CH₃HgCl) on the production of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) by cultured human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) based on its antiaggregatory effect on human platelets was examined. HUVECs were harvested from umbilical veins by collagenase treatment. The platelet aggregation test was performed with cuvettes lined with HUVECs. Platelet aggregation induced by 0.05 units thrombin/ml was inhibited in the presence of HUVECs. This HUVEC-dependent anti-platelet aggregatory effect was enhanced by the addition of bradykinin (10 nmol/L), which stimulates the production of EDRF. Indomethacin (IND, 1 mol/L) reduced the HUVEC-dependent anti-platelet aggregatory effect. The effect ofN ^G-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 100 mol/L), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in endothelial cells, on HUVECs pretreated with IND showed almost complete platelet aggregation similar to results without HUVECs. The anti-platelet aggregatory effect of HUVECs pretreated with IND seemed to depend mainly on EDRF. Methylmercury (MeHg) (20–50 mol/L) induced dose-dependent platelet aggregation in cuvettes, without HUVECs. Methylmercury (30 mol/L) induced less platelet aggregation in the presence of HUVECs than in their absence. The degree of inhibitory effect by HUVECs on MeHg-induced platelet aggregation was reduced dose-dependently (30–50 mol/L MeHg). Methylmercury-induced platelet aggregation at 50 mol/L MeHg with or without HUVECs was similar. These findings suggest that this simple new experimental system is useful for assessing the production of EDRF by HUVECs, and show that MeHg inhibits the production of EDRF by HUVECs, which may be involved in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and arteriosclerosis.Abbreviations BK bradykinin - EDRF endothelium-derived relaxing factor - HUVECs human umbilical vascular endothelial cells - IND indomethacin - L-NMMA N ^G-monomethyl-L-arginine - MeHg methylmercury     

L－NNA和还原型Hb对SHRsp肠系膜动脉内皮依赖性舒张的影响

我们以往的工作证实成年自发高血压大鼠（ＳＨＲ与ＳＨＲｓｐ）肠系膜动脉由乙酰胆碱引起的内皮依赖性舒张（ＥＤＲ）减弱。为进一步探讨ＥＤＲ减弱的机制，本文观察了一氧化氮（ＮＯ）合成酶抑制剂左旋硝基精氨酸（Ｌ－ＮＮＡ）及ＥＤＲＦ灭活剂还原型血红蛋白（ＲＨｂ）对卒中易感型自发高血压大鼠（ＳＨＲｓｐ）与常压对照（ＷＫＹ）大鼠肠系膜动脉ＡＣｈ内皮依赖性舒张（ＥＤＲ）的影响。发现Ｌ－ＮＮＡ（１０（－３）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）可使ＳＨＲｓｐ弱于ＷＫＹ的ＡＣｈＥＤＲ（１０（－８）－１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）的差异消失，ＲＨｂ（１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）则仅在１０（－７）－１０（－８）ｍｏｌ／ＬＡＣｈ时使ＳＨＲ（ｓｐ）肠系膜动脉ＥＤＲ弱于ＷＫＹ的差异消失。将ＷＫＹ在加入Ｌ－ＮＮＡ后的与加入ＲＨｂ后的ＡＣｈ（１０（－８）－１０（－５）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）ＥＤＲ进行比较，无显著差异。而将ＳＨＲｓｐ在Ｌ－ＮＮＡ后的与ＲＨｂ后的ＡＣｈ（１０（－８）－１０（－６）ｍｏｌ／Ｌ）ＥＤＲ进行比较，则有显著差异。并且，ＳＨＲｓｐ的有内皮肠系膜动脉条对ＲＨｂ的敏感性与ＷＫＹ接近，对Ｌ－ＮＮＡ的敏感性则低于ＷＫＹ。表明高血压时肠系膜动脉内皮依赖性舒张减弱中，ＥＤＲＦ机制与     

血管内皮舒张因子在氧自由基所致慢性缺氧大鼠肺内动脉收缩中的作用

以黄嘌岭(X)-黄嘌呤氧化酶(XO)系统产生氧自由基,应用微量生物测定法观察慢性缺氧(5000m,10d)对大鼠氧自由基所致肺内动脉收缩的影响及内皮舒张因子(EDRF)在其中的作用。慢性缺氧大鼠有内皮的肺内动脉环对氧自由基的收缩反应较正常环境中的对照动物明显增强,加入EDRF灭活剂还原型血红蛋白(RHb)后更加显著;而加入超氧化物歧化酶(铜锌SOD)后则减弱,甚至消除。反之,不论加入RHb或SOD对氧自由基所致去内皮肺内动脉环的收缩反应均无明显影响。上述结果表明慢性缺氧引起肺内动脉收缩增强与EDRF有密切关系:慢性缺氧可能使EDRF的作用减弱,肺内动脉对氧自由基的反应性增强。表示EDRF及其与氧自由基的关系在慢性缺氧性肺动脉高压的形成中可能具有十分重要的意义。     

Endothelial NO-synthase intron 4 polymorphism is associated with disturbed in vivo nitric oxide production in individuals prone to type 2 diabetes.

Insulin resistance, as well as vascular disease, both share a relevant genetic background taking the influence of a positive family history of these disorders. On the other hand, insulin resistance is associated with a proatherosclerotic disturbance in nitric oxide dependent vasodilation, probably contributing to the link between these two disorders. We examined the association between nitric oxide dependent vasodilation (measured with high resolution ultrasound at 13 MHz) and three relevant NO-synthase (eNOS)-polymorphisms in 200 insulin resistant subjects participating in the Tuebinger Lifestyle Intervention Program (TULIP). This study revealed that carriers of the eNOS intron 4 polymorphism (aa 2.16%; ab 24.2%; bb 73.2%) show significantly worse endothelial, and thereby eNOS dependent vasodilation (p=0.03, multivariate ANOVA), as compared to wildtype carriers. The 5' UTR T-786C and the G894 T polymorphism did not show any influence on eNOS-activity. In subjects at increased risk to develop type 2 diabetes, the eNOS intron 4 polymorphism is independently associated with endothelial function as indicated by disturbed endothelial NO production. Due to the high prevalence and the relatively strong effect, this polymorphism might help to identify subjects at increased risk for atherosclerosis associated with overweight and insulin resistance.     

Nitric oxide-an endothelial cell survival factor

Due to its unique position in the vessel wall, the endothelium acts as a barrier and thereby controls adhesion, aggregation and invasion of immune competent cells. Apoptosis of endothelial cells may critically disturb the integrity of the endothelial monolayer and contribute to the initiation of proinflammatory events. Endothelial cell apoptosis is counteracted by nitric oxide synthesised by the endothelium nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Thus, nitric oxide inhibits endothelial cell apoptosis induced by proinflammatory cytokines and proatherosclerotic factors including reactive oxygen species and angiotensin II. The apoptosis-suppression may contribute to the profound anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic effects of endothelial-derived NO. Furthermore, the support of endothelial cell survival by NO may further play a central role for the pro-angiogenic effects of NO.     

Role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in endothelial activation: insights from eNOS knockout endothelial cells

The objective of this study was to determine whether absence of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) affects the expression of cell surface adhesion molecules in endothelial cells. Murine lung endothelial cells (MLECs) were prepared by immunomagnetic bead selection from wild-type and eNOS knockout mice. Wild-type cells expressed eNOS, but eNOS knockout cells did not. Expression of neuronal NOS and inducible NOS was not detectable in cells of either genotype. Upon stimulation, confluent wild-type MLECs produced significant amounts of NO compared with N-monomethyl-L-arginine-treated wild-type cells. eNOS knockout and wild-type cells showed no difference in the expression of E-selectin, P-selectin, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 as measured by flow cytometry on the surface of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1/CD31)-positive cells. Both eNOS knockout and wild-type cells displayed the characteristics of resting endothelium. Adhesion studies in a parallel plate laminar flow chamber showed no difference in leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions between the two genotypes. Cytokine treatment induced endothelial cell adhesion molecule expression and increased leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions in both genotypes. We conclude that in resting murine endothelial cells, absence of endothelial production of NO by itself does not initiate endothelial cell activation or promote leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions. We propose that eNOS derived NO does not chronically suppress endothelial cell activation in an autocrine fashion but serves to counterbalance signals that mediate activation. vascular biology; atherosclerosis; mouse models     

Plasma membrane-associated endothelial nitric oxide synthase and activity in aging rat aortic vascular endothelia markedly decline with age

The mechanisms leading to the age-related loss of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) and NO-dependent vasodilation remain largely unknown. Freshly isolated endothelium from young (6 months) and old (36 months) F344xBrN rats were analyzed for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein, its subcellular distribution, and association with regulatory proteins. Results show that both vessel ring vasoreactivity and A23187-induced eNOS activity in isolated endothelial cells significantly (p < or = 0.05) declined with age. Levels of cGMP, a reliable marker for NO bioactivity also declined significantly (p < or = 0.01). However, no change in overall eNOS protein was evident. Subcellular fractionation studies revealed an age-related loss in active, plasma membrane-bound eNOS relative to eNOS in the Golgi/cytosol of the endothelium. Plasma membrane-associated eNOS in aged endothelium was also less complexed with the activating proteins Hsp90 and Akt and more associated with to caveolin-1, which inhibits eNOS activity. These results suggest that age-dependent loss of NO may be partly caused by differences in eNOS subcellular distribution and its association with inhibitory proteins.     

Cotyledon and binucleate cell nitric oxide synthase expression in an ovine model of fetal growth restriction.

Heat exposure early in ovine pregnancy results in placental insufficiency and intrauterine growth restriction (PI-IUGR). We hypothesized that heat exposure in this model disrupts placental structure and reduces placental endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression. We measured eNOS protein content and performed immunohistochemistry for eNOS in placentas from thermoneutral (TN) and hyperthermic (HT) animals killed at midgestation (90 days). Placental histomorphometry was compared between groups. Compared with the TN controls, the HT group showed reduced delivery weights (457 +/- 49 vs. 631 +/- 21 g; P < 0.05) and a trend for reduced placentome weights (288 +/- 61 vs. 554 +/- 122 g; P = 0.09). Cotyledon eNOS protein content was reduced by 50% in the HT group (P < 0.03). eNOS localized similarly to the vascular endothelium and binucleated cells (BNCs) within the trophoblast of both experimental groups. HT cotyledons showed a reduction in the ratio of fetal to maternal stromal tissue (1.36 +/- 0.36 vs. 3.59 +/- 1.2; P< or = 0.03). We conclude that eNOS protein expression is reduced in this model of PI-IUGR and that eNOS localizes to both vascular endothelium and the BNC. We speculate that disruption of normal vascular development and BNC eNOS production and function leads to abnormal placental vascular tone and blood flow in this model of PI-IUGR.     

The role of arterial smooth muscle in vasorelaxation

The concept of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) implies that nitric oxide (NO) produced by NO synthase (NOS) in the endothelium in response to vasorelaxants such as acetylcholine (ACh) acts on the underlying vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) inducing vascular relaxation. The EDRF concept was derived from experiments on denuded blood vessel strips and, in frames of this concept, VSMC were regarded as passive recipients of NO from endothelial cells. However, it was later found that VSMC express NOS by themselves, but the principal question remained unanswered, is the NO generation by VSMC physiologically relevant? We hypothesized that the destruction of the vascular wall anatomical integrity by rubbing off the endothelial layer might increase vascular superoxides that, in turn, reduced the NO bioactivity as a relaxing factor. To test our hypothesis, we examined ACh-induced vasorelaxation under protection against oxidative stress and found that superoxide scavengers restored vasodilatory responses to ACh in endothelium-deprived blood vessels. These findings imply that VSMC can release NO in amounts sufficient to account for the vasorelaxatory response and challenge the concept of the obligatory role of endothelial cells in the relaxation of arterial smooth muscle.     

Cyclosporin A inhibits flow-mediated activation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase by altering cholesterol content in caveolae

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. Although cyclosporin A (CsA), an inhibitory ligand of cyclophilin A, is a widely used immunosuppressive drug, it causes arterial hypertension in part by impairing eNOS-dependent vasodilation. Here we show that CsA inhibits fluid shear stress-mediated eNOS activation in endothelial cells via decreasing cholesterol content in caveolae. Exposure of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells to 1 mum CsA for 1 h significantly inhibited NO production and eNOS phosphorylation at Ser-1179 induced by flow (shear stress=dynes/cm2). The effect of CsA was not related to inhibition of two known eNOS kinases, protein kinase B (Akt) and protein kinase A, because CsA did not affect Akt or protein kinase A activation. In rabbit aorta perfused ex vivo, CsA also significantly inhibited flow-induced eNOS phosphorylation at Ser-1179 but had no effect on Akt measured by phosphorylation at Ser-473. However, CsA treatment decreased cholesterol content in caveolae and displaced eNOS from caveolae, which may be caused by CsA disrupting the association of caveolin-1 and cyclophilin A. The magnitude of the cholesterol depleting effect was similar to that of beta-cyclodextrin, a cholesterol-binding molecule, and beta-cyclodextrin had a similar inhibitory effect on flow-mediated eNOS activation. Treating bovine aortic endothelial cells for 24 h with 30 mug/ml cholesterol blocked the CsA effect and restored eNOS phosphorylation in response to flow. These data suggest that decreasing cholesterol content in caveolae by CsA is a potentially important pathogenic mechanism for CsA-induced endothelial dysfunction and hypertension.