Role of dual-site phospholamban phosphorylation in intermittent hypoxia-induced cardioprotection against ischemia-reperfusion injury

Cardioprotection by intermittent high-altitude (IHA) hypoxia against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with Ca(2+) overload reduction. Phospholamban (PLB) phosphorylation relieves cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-pump ATPase, a critical regulator in intracellular Ca(2+) cycling, from inhibition. To test the hypothesis that IHA hypoxia increases PLB phosphorylation and that such an effect plays a role in cardioprotection, we compared the time-dependent changes in the PLB phosphorylation at Ser(16) (PKA site) and Thr(17) (CaMKII site) in perfused normoxic rat hearts with those in IHA hypoxic rat hearts submitted to 30-min ischemia (I30) followed by 30-min reperfusion (R30). IHA hypoxia improved postischemic contractile recovery, reduced the maximum extent of ischemic contracture, and attenuated I/R-induced depression in Ca(2+)-pump ATPase activity. Although the PLB protein levels remained constant during I/R in both groups, Ser(16) phosphorylation increased at I30 and 1 min of reperfusion (R1) but decreased at R30 in normoxic hearts. IHA hypoxia upregulated the increase further at I30 and R1. Thr(17) phosphorylation decreased at I30, R1, and R30 in normoxic hearts, but IHA hypoxia attenuated the depression at R1 and R30. Moreover, PKA inhibitor H89 abolished IHA hypoxia-induced increase in Ser(16) phosphorylation, Ca(2+)-pump ATPase activity, and the recovery of cardiac performance after ischemia. CaMKII inhibitor KN-93 also abolished the beneficial effects of IHA hypoxia on Thr(17) phosphorylation, Ca(2+)-pump ATPase activity, and the postischemic contractile recovery. These findings indicate that IHA hypoxia mitigates I/R-induced depression in SR Ca(2+)-pump ATPase activity by upregulating dual-site PLB phosphorylation, which may consequently contribute to IHA hypoxia-induced cardioprotection against I/R injury.     

Mitochondrial BKCa channels contribute to protection of cardiomyocytes isolated from chronically hypoxic rats

Chronic hypoxia protects the heart against injury caused by acute oxygen deprivation, but its salutary mechanism is poorly understood. The aim was to find out whether cardiomyocytes isolated from chronically hypoxic hearts retain the improved resistance to injury and whether the mitochondrial large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels contribute to the protective effect. Adult male rats were adapted to continuous normobaric hypoxia (inspired O2 fraction 0.10) for 3 wk or kept at room air (normoxic controls). Myocytes, isolated separately from the left ventricle (LVM), septum (SEPM), and right ventricle, were exposed to 25-min metabolic inhibition with sodium cyanide, followed by 30-min reenergization (MI/R). Some LVM were treated with either 30 μM NS-1619 (BKCa opener), or 2 μM paxilline (BKCa blocker), starting 25 min before metabolic inhibition. Cell injury was detected by Trypan blue exclusion and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Chronic hypoxia doubled the number of rod-shaped LVM and SEPM surviving the MI/R insult and reduced LDH release. While NS-1619 protected cells from normoxic rats, it had no additive salutary effect in the hypoxic group. Paxilline attenuated the improved resistance of cells from hypoxic animals without affecting normoxic controls; it also abolished the protective effect of NS-1619 on LDH release in the normoxic group. While chronic hypoxia did not affect protein abundance of the BKCa channel regulatory β1-subunit, it markedly decreased its glycosylation level. It is concluded that ventricular myocytes isolated from chronically hypoxic rats retain the improved resistance against injury caused by MI/R. Activation of the mitochondrial BKCa channel likely contributes to this protective effect.     

A cardioprotective role for platelet-activating factor through NOS-dependent S-nitrosylation

Controversy exists as to whether platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent phospholipid mediator of inflammation, can actually protect the heart from postischemic injury. To determine whether endogenous activation of the PAF receptor is cardioprotective, we examined postischemic functional recovery in isolated hearts from wild-type and PAF receptor-knockout mice. Postischemic function was reduced in hearts with targeted deletion of the PAF receptor and in wild-type hearts treated with a PAF receptor antagonist. Furthermore, perfusion with picomolar concentrations of PAF improved postischemic function in hearts from wild-type mice. To elucidate the mechanism of a PAF-mediated cardioprotective effect, we employed a model of intracellular Ca2+ overload and loss of function in nonischemic ventricular myocytes. We found that PAF receptor activation attenuates the time-dependent loss of shortening and increases in intracellular Ca2+ transients in Ca2+ -overloaded myocytes. These protective effects of PAF depend on nitric oxide, but not activation of cGMP. In addition, we found that reversible S-nitrosylation of myocardial proteins must occur in order for PAF to moderate Ca2+ overload and loss of myocyte function. Thus our data are consistent with the hypothesis that low-level PAF receptor activation initiates nitric oxide-induced S-nitrosylation of Ca2+ -handling proteins, e.g., L-type Ca2+ channels, to attenuate Ca2+ overload during ischemia-reperfusion in the heart. Since inhibition of the PAF protective pathway reduces myocardial postischemic function, our results raise concern that clinical therapies for inflammatory diseases that lead to complete blockade of the PAF receptor may eliminate a significant, endogenous cardioprotective pathway.     

Endothelial NOS expression and ischemia-reperfusion in isolated working rat heart from hypoxic and hyperoxic conditions

Induction of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) contributes to the mechanism of heart protection against ischemia-reperfusion damage. We analyzed the effects of hypoxia and hyperoxia on eNOS expression in isolated working rat hearts after ischemia-reperfusion damage. Adult male Wistar rats were submitted to chronic hypoxia (2 weeks) and hyperoxia (72 h). The hearts were submitted to 15 min of ischemia and reperfused for 60 min, then we evaluated hemodynamic parameters and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) release. eNOS expression was estimated by RT-PCR; enzyme localization was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and the eNOS protein levels were detected by Western blot. All hemodynamic parameters in hypoxic conditions were better with respect to other groups. The CPK release was lower in hypoxic (P<0.01) than in normoxic and hyperoxic conditions. The eNOS deposition was significantly higher in the hypoxic group versus the normoxic or hyperoxic groups. The eNOS protein and mRNA levels were increased by hypoxia versus both other groups. Chronic hypoxic exposure may decrease injury and increase eNOS protein and mRNA levels in heart subjected to ischemia-reperfusion.     

Effects of amiloride on the mechanical,electrical and biochemical aspects of ischemia-reperfusion injury

Although many causal factors have been proposed for the ischemia-reperfusion injury, the exact mechanisms for interdependent derangements of mechanical, electrical and metabolic events remains unclear. For this purpose, the Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were subjected to regional brief ischemia followed by reperfusion to study the protective effects of amiloride, an inhibitor of Na⁺–H⁺ exchange. Amiloride (0.1 mM) attenuated the rise in tissue Na⁺ and Ca²⁺, both duration and incidence of arrhythmias (p<0.05 vs. control), sarcolemmal injury (assessed by Na–K ATPase) and lipid peroxidation (assessed by malonedialdehyde formation) during reperfusion. Treatment of hearts with monensin, a sodium inophore, reversed the protective effects of amiloride. Reduction in transsarcolemmal Na⁺ and pH gradients during ischemia exhibited protective effects similar to those seen with amiloride. These results suggest that cardiac dysfunction, sarcolemmal injury and triggered arrhythmias during ischemia-reperfusion are due to the occurrence of intracellular Ca²⁺ overload caused by the activation of Na⁺–H⁺ exchange and Na⁺–Ca²⁺ exchange systems in the myocardium.     

Protective effect of gap junction uncouplers given during hypoxia against reoxygenation injury in isolated rat hearts

It has been shown that cell-to-cell chemical coupling may persist during severe myocardial hypoxia or ischemia. We aimed to analyze the effects of different, chemically unrelated gap junction uncouplers on the progression of ischemic injury in hypoxic myocardium. First, we analyzed the effects of heptanol, 18alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid, and palmitoleic acid on intracellular Ca2+ concentration during simulated hypoxia (2 mM NaCN) in isolated cardiomyocytes. Next, we analyzed their effects on developed and diastolic tension and electrical impedance in 47 isolated rat hearts submitted to 40 min of hypoxia and reoxygenation. All treatments were applied only during the hypoxic period. Cell injury was determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Heptanol, but not 18alpha-glycyrrhetinic acid nor palmitoleic acid, attenuated the increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration induced by simulated ischemia in cardiomyocytes and delayed rigor development (rigor onset at 7.31 +/- 0.71 min in controls vs. 14.76 +/- 1.44 in heptanol-treated hearts, P < 0.001) and the onset of the marked changes in electrical impedance (tissue resistivity: 4.02 +/- 0.29 vs. 7.75 +/- 1.84 min, P = 0.016) in hypoxic rat hearts. LDH release from hypoxic hearts was minimal and was not significantly modified by drugs. However, all gap junction uncouplers, given during hypoxia, attenuated LDH release during subsequent reoxygenation. Dose-response analysis showed that increasing heptanol concentration beyond the level associated with maximal effects on cell coupling resulted in further protection against hypoxic injury. In conclusion, gap junction uncoupling during hypoxia has a protective effect on cell death occurring upon subsequent reoxygenation, and heptanol has, in addition, a marked protective effect independent of its uncoupling actions.     

Intermittent hypoxia protects cardiomyocytes against ischemia-reperfusion injury-induced alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction via the sarcoplasmic reticulum and Na+/Ca2+ exchange mechanisms

We have previously demonstrated that intermittent high-altitude (IHA) hypoxia significantly attenuates ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury-induced excessive increase in resting intracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations ([Ca²⁺]_i). Because the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) play crucial roles in regulating [Ca²⁺]_i and both are dysfunctional during I/R, we tested the hypothesis that IHA hypoxia may prevent I/R-induced Ca²⁺ overload by maintaining Ca²⁺ homeostasis via SR and NCX mechanisms. We thus determined the dynamics of Ca²⁺ transients and cell shortening during preischemia and I/R injury in ventricular cardiomyocytes from normoxic and IHA hypoxic rats. IHA hypoxia did not affect the preischemic dynamics of Ca²⁺ transients and cell shortening, but it significantly suppressed the I/R-induced increase in resting [Ca²⁺]_i levels and attenuated the depression of the Ca²⁺ transients and cell shortening during reperfusion. Moreover, IHA hypoxia significantly attenuated I/R-induced depression of the protein contents of SR Ca²⁺ release channels and/or ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and SR Ca²⁺ pump ATPase (SERCA2) and SR Ca²⁺ release and uptake. In addition, a delayed decay rate time constant of Ca²⁺ transients and cell shortening of Ca²⁺ transients observed during ischemia was accompanied by markedly inhibited NCX currents, which were prevented by IHA hypoxia. These findings indicate that IHA hypoxia may preserve Ca²⁺ homeostasis and contraction by preserving RyRs and SERCA2 proteins as well as NCX activity during I/R. intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration; Ca²⁺ transients; Ca²⁺ transporters; myofilament Ca²⁺ sensitivity     

NHE and ICAM-1 expression in hypoxic/reoxygenated coronary microvascular endothelial cells

Although Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) has been implicated in myocardial reperfusion injury, participation of coronary microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) in this pathogenesis has been poorly understood. NHE-induced intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) overload in CMECs may increase the synthesis of intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM), which is potentially involved in myocardial reperfusion injury. The present study tested the hypothesis that NHE plays a crucial role in [Ca2+]i overload and ICAM-1 synthesis in CMECs. Primary cultures of CMECs isolated from adult rat hearts were subjected to acidic hypoxia for 30 min followed by reoxygenation. Two structurally distinct NHE inhibitors, cariporide and 5-(N-N-dimethyl)-amiloride (DMA), had no significant effect on the acidic hypoxia-induced decrease in intracellular pH (pH(i)) of CMECs but significantly retarded pH(i) recovery after reoxygenation. These NHE inhibitors abolished the hypoxia- and reoxygenation-induced increase in [Ca2+]i. Expression of ICAM-1 mRNA was markedly increased in the vehicle-treated CMECs 3 h after reoxygenation, and this was significantly inhibited by treatment with cariporide, DMA, or Ca2+-free buffer. In addition, enhanced ICAM-I protein expression on the cell surface of CMECs 8 h after reoxygenation was attenuated by treatment with cariporide, DMA, or Ca2+-free buffer. These results suggest that NHE plays a crucial role in the rise of [Ca2+]i and ICAM-1 expression during acidic hypoxia/reoxygenation in CMECs. We propose that inhibition of ICAM-1 expression in CMECs may represent a novel mechanism of action of NHE inhibitors against ischemia-reperfusion injury.     

Hypoxia induces hypersensitivity and hyperreactivity to thromboxane receptor agonist in neonatal pulmonary arterial myocytes

PPHN, caused by perinatal hypoxia or inflammation, is characterized by an increased thromboxane-prostacyclin ratio and pulmonary vasoconstriction. We examined effects of hypoxia on myocyte thromboxane responsiveness. Myocytes from 3rd-6th generation pulmonary arteries of newborn piglets were grown to confluence and synchronized in contractile phenotype by serum deprivation. On the final 3 days of culture, myocytes were exposed to 10% O2 for 3 days; control myocytes from normoxic piglets were cultured in 21% O2. PPHN was induced in newborn piglets by 3-day hypoxic exposure (Fi(O2) 0.10); pulmonary arterial myocytes from these animals were maintained in normoxia. Ca2+ mobilization to thromboxane mimetic U-46619 and ATP was quantified using fura-2 AM. Three-day hypoxic exposure in vitro results in increased basal [Ca2+]i, faster and heightened peak Ca2+ response, and decreased U-46619 EC50. These functional changes persist in myocytes exposed to hypoxia in vivo but cultured in 21% O2. Blockade of Ca2+ entry and store refilling do not alter peak U-46619 Ca2+ responses in hypoxic or normoxic myocytes. Blockade of ryanodine-sensitive or IP3-gated intracellular Ca2+ channels inhibits hypoxic augmentation of peak U-46619 response. Ca2+ response to ryanodine alone is undetectable; ATP-induced Ca2+ mobilization is unaltered by hypoxia, suggesting no independent increase in ryanodine-sensitive or IP3-linked intracellular Ca2+ pool mobilization. We conclude hypoxia has a priming effect on neonatal pulmonary arterial myocytes, resulting in increased resting Ca2+, thromboxane hypersensitivity, and hyperreactivity. We postulate that hypoxia increases agonist-induced TP-R-linked IP3 pathway activation. Myocyte thromboxane hyperresponsiveness persists in culture after removal from the initiating hypoxic stimulus, suggesting altered gene expression.     

Possible use of quercetin, an antioxidant, for protection of cells suffering from overload of intracellular Ca2+: a model experiment

Quercetin is known to protect the cells suffering from oxidative stress. The oxidative stress elevates intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, one of the phenomena responsible for cell death. Therefore, we hypothesized that quercetin would protect the cells suffering from overload of intracellular Ca(2+). To test the hypothesis, the effects of quercetin on the cells suffering from oxidative stress and intracellular Ca(2+) overload were examined by using a flow cytometer with appropriate fluorescence probes (propidium iodide, fluo-3-AM, and annexin V-FITC) and rat thymocytes. The concentrations (1-30 microM) of quercetin to protect the cells suffering from intracellular Ca(2+) overload by A23187, a calcium ionophore, were similar to those for the cells suffering from oxidative stress by H(2)O(2). The cell death respectively induced by H(2)O(2) and A23187 was significantly suppressed by removal of external Ca(2+). Furthermore, quercetin greatly delayed the process of Ca(2+)-dependent cell death although it did not significantly affect the elevation of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration by H(2)O(2) and A23187, respectively. It is concluded that quercetin can protect the cells from oxidative injury in spite of increased concentration of intracellular Ca(2+). Results suggest that quercetin is also used for protection of cells suffering from overload of intracellular Ca(2+).     

Cytoprotective effects of calbindin-D(28k) against antimycin-A induced hypoxic injury in proximal tubular cells

Intracellular calcium plays an important role on the pathogenesis of hypoxia-induced cellular injury. Calbindin-D(28k), a cytosolic vitamin D-dependent calcium binding protein, can serve as a buffer to limit a surge in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) induced by various stimulations. To evaluate the possible cytoprotective effect of calbindin-D(28k) against hypoxic injury in proximal tubular cells, a plasmid containing calbindin-D(28k) cDNA under the control of CMV immediate-early gene promoter was transfected into the murine proximal tubular epithelial (MCT) cells. The expression of calbindin-D(28k) in the transfected cells was verified with Northern blot analysis, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescent staining. The non-transfected and transfected MCT cells were subjected to chemical hypoxia induced by antimycin A (10 microM) and glucose deprivation for 30-120 min. The transfection of calbindin-D(28k) reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release by 41%, 41%, 24%, and 24%, respectively, at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after hypoxia when compared to the non-transfected cells (all p < 0.05). Cell viability after hypoxic injury was also significantly higher in transfected cells than non-transfected cells. Transfection with the plasmid without calbindin-D(28k) cDNA did not affect LDH release or cell viability after chemical hypoxic injury. [Ca+2]i was measured ratiometrically with fura-2 after exposure to chemical hypoxia. The rate of initial rise in [Ca2+]i and final [Ca+2]i at 30-120 min were significantly lowered in transfected cells. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that transfection of calbindin-D(28k) gene into MCT cells provide protective effects against chemical hypoxic injury probably through its buffering effects on [Ca+2]i.     

TNF-alpha as a potential mediator of cardiac dysfunction due to intracellular Ca2+-overload

TNF-alpha has been shown to be involved in cardiac dysfunction during ischemia/reperfusion injury; however, no information regarding the status of TNF-alpha production in myocardial injury due to intracellular Ca2+-overload is available in the literature. The intracellular Ca2+-overload was induced in the isolated rat hearts subjected to 5 min Ca2+-depletion and 30 min Ca2+-repletion (Ca2+-paradox). The Ca2+-paradox hearts exhibited a dramatic depression in left ventricular developed pressure, a marked elevation in left ventricular end diastolic pressure, and more than a 4-fold increase in TNF-alpha content. The ratio of cytosolic to homogenate nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) was decreased whereas the ratio of phospho-NFkappaB to total NFkappaB was increased in the Ca2+-paradox hearts. All these changes due to Ca2+-paradox were significantly attenuated upon treating the hearts with 100 microM pentoxifylline. These results suggest that activation of NFkappaB and increased production of TNF-alpha may play an important role in cardiac injury due to intracellular Ca2+-overload.     

Alterations in cardiac membrane Ca2+ transport during oxidative stress

Although cardiac dysfunction due to ischemia-reperfusion injury is considered to involve oxygen free radicals, the exact manner by which this oxidative stress affects the myocardium is not clear. As the occurrence of intracellular Ca²⁺ overload has been shown to play a critical role in the genesis of cellular damage due to ischemia-reperfusion, this study was undertaken to examine whether oxygen free radicals are involved in altering the sarcolemmal Ca²⁺-transport activities due to reperfusion injury. When isolated rat hearts were made globally ischemic for 30 min and then reperfused for 5 min, the Ca²⁺ -pump and Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchange activities were depressed in the purified sarcolemmal fraction; these alterations were prevented when a free radical scavenger enzymes (superoxide dismutase plus catalase) were added to the reperfusion medium. Both the Ca²⁺- pump and Na⁺- Ca²⁺ exchange activities in control heart sarcolemmal preparations were depressed by activated oxygen-generating systems containing xanthine plus xanthine oxidase and H₂O₂; these changes were prevented by the inclusion of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the incubation medium. These results support the view that oxidative stress during ischemia-reperfusion may contribute towards the occurrence of intracellular Ca²⁺ overload and subsequent cell damage by depressing the sarcolemmal mechanisms governing the efflux of Ca²⁺ from the cardiac cell.     

Mechanisms of cardiodepression by an Na+-H+ exchange inhibitor methyl-N-isobutyl amiloride (MIA) on the heart: lack of beneficial effects in ischemia-reperfusion injury

Although Na+-H+ exchange (NHE) inhibitors such as methyl-N-isobutyl amiloride (MIA) are known to depress the cardiac function, the mechanisms of their negative inotropic effect are not completely understood. In this study, isolated rat hearts were perfused with MIA to study its action on cardiac performance, whereas isolated subcellular organelles such as sarcolemma, myofibrils, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and mitochondria were treated with MIA to determine its effect on their function. The effect of MIA on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization was examined in fura-2-AM-loaded cardiomyocytes. MIA was observed to depress cardiac function in a concentration-dependent manner in HCO3- -free buffer. On the other hand, MIA had an initial positive inotropic effect followed by a negative inotropic effect in HCO3-containing buffer. MIA increased the basal concentration of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and augmented the KCl-mediated increase in [Ca2+]i. MIA did not show any direct effect on myofibrils, sarcolemma, and sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase activities; however, this agent was found to decrease the intracellular pH, which reduced the myofibrils Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity. MIA also increased Ca2+ uptake by mitochondria without having any direct effect on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ uptake. In addition, MIA did not protect the hearts subjected to mild Ca2+ paradox as well as ischemia-reperfusion-mediated injury. These results suggest that the increase in [Ca2+]i in cardiomyocytes may be responsible for the initial positive inotropic effect of MIA, but its negative inotropic action may be due to mitochondrial Ca2+ overloading as well as indirect depression of myofibrillar Ca2+ ATPase activity. Thus the accumulation of [H+]i as well as occurrence of intracellular and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload may explain the lack of beneficial effects of MIA in preventing the ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial injury.     

Characterization of hypoxia-induced [Ca2+]i rise in rabbit pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells

We have investigated the effects of hypoxia on the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in rabbit pulmonary (PASMCs) and coronary arterial smooth muscle cells with fura-2. Perfusion of a glucose-free and hypoxic (PO2<50 mmHg) external solution increased [Ca2+]i in cultured as well as freshly isolated PASMCs. However it had no effect on [Ca2+]i in freshly isolated coronary arterial myocytes. In the absence of extracellular Ca2+, hypoxic stimulation elicited a transient [Ca2+]i increase in cultured PASMCs which was abolished by the simultaneous application of cyclopiazonic acid and ryanodine, suggesting the involvement of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ store. Pretreatment with the mitochondrial protonophore, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl-hydrazone (CCCP) enhanced the [Ca2+]i rise in response to hypoxia. A short application of caffeine gave a transient [Ca2+]i rise which was prolonged by CCCP. Decay of the caffeine-induced [Ca2+]i transients was significantly slowed by treatment of CCCP or rotenone. After full development of the hypoxia-induced [Ca2+]i rise, nifedipine did not decrease [Ca2+]i. These data suggest that the [Ca2+]i increase in response to hypoxia may be ascribed to both Ca2+ release from the SR and the subsequent activation of nifedipine-insensitive capacitative Ca2+ entry. Mitochondria appear to modulate hypoxia induced Ca2+ release from the SR.     

Hypoxic up-regulation of triosephosphate isomerase expression in mouse brain capillary endothelial cells

A protein with a molecular mass of 27kDa was induced by hypoxia in a mouse brain capillary endothelial cell line and identified as triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) by amino-terminal sequencing. Hypoxia caused an elevation of the TPI protein level, concomitant with an increase of the TPI mRNA level. However, hypoxia resulted in an insufficient elevation of TPI activity level, compared to an increase of TPI protein level. When cells expressing the recombinant TPI protein with histidine tag were exposed to hypoxia and the TPI protein was affinity-purified, the catalytic activity (specific activity) of the TPI protein purified from hypoxic cells was substantially lower than that obtained from normoxic cells. In addition, three TPI isoforms with an electrophoretic multiplicity were found; two of the three isoforms were substantially increased in response to the hypoxia, but the level of the most acidic isoform was barely changed. The induction of TPI gene expression by hypoxia was suppressed by (1) a chelator of intracellular Ca(2+), (2) a blocker of non-selective cation channels, (3) a blocker of Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchangers, (4) an inhibitor of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases, and (5) an inhibitor of c-jun/AP-1 activation.     

Changes in the expression and/or activation of regulatory proteins in rat hearts adapted to chronic hypoxia

Chronic intermittent high altitude (IHA) hypoxia results in long-term adaptation protecting the heart against acute ischemia/reperfusion injury; however, molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon are not completely elucidated so far. The present study was aimed at investigation of a modulating effect of IHA hypoxia on the expression and/or activation of selected regulatory proteins, with particular emphasis on differential responses in the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV). Adult male Wistar rats were exposed to IHA hypoxia of 7000 m simulated in a hypobaric chamber (8 h/day, 25 exposures), and protein contents and activities in myocardial fractions were determined by Western blot analysis. In markedly hypertrophic RV of hypoxic rats, gelatinolytic activity of MMP-2 and protein levels of carbonic anhydrase IX (a marker of hypoxia) were significantly enhanced. Study of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) revealed no differences in the contents of total p38-MAPK in both ventricles between the IHA and normoxic control rats, whereas activation of p38-MAPK was decreased in the RV and moderately increased in the LV of IHA rats as compared to controls. Extracellular signal regulated kinase-2 (ERK-2) was partially up-regulated in the RV of IHA rats, and, in addition, expression of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF), a potential activator of ERK cascade, was also significantly increased. In contrast, expression of ERKs in the LV as well as their activities in both ventricles, were not affected by IHA hypoxia. Differential effects of IHA hypoxia on c-Jun-N-terminal protein kinases (JNKs) in the RV and LV were also observed. As compared with the controls, total content of JNKs was increased in the RV of the IHA rats, while expression of JNKs in the LV was down-regulated. IHA hypoxia changed neither total levels of Akt kinase in both RV and LV, nor Akt kinase activity in the RV. However, increased levels of activated phospho-Akt kinase were found in the LV of IHA rats. The results demonstrate that adaptation of rat hearts to chronic IHA hypoxia is associated with disctinct changes in the levels and/or activation of several regulatory proteins in two ventricles. The latter could be attributed to both myocardial remodeling and cardioprotection induced by chronic hypoxia.