nNOS uncoupling by oxidized LDL: Implications in atherosclerosis

The atheroprotective role of fucoidan involves the reduction of foam cell formation by altering cholesterol flux-associated factors in macrophages

Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of lipid-laden cells in the arterial walls, resulting from dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis in the macrophage, triggered by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL). Previous studies have shown that fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide from brown seaweeds, has several atheroprotective activities, however, the mechanism of fucoidan protection is not fully understood. Thus, we investigated the effect of fucoidan on atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice, on oxLDL uptake by macrophages, and on the expression of the flux-associated scavenger receptors by macrophages. Also, we examined the absorption and biodistribution of orally administered fucoidan. ApoE-/- mice fed on a cholesterol-rich diet supplemented with 1% fucoidan showed reduced dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Fucoidan was detected in blood and peripheral tissue after gavage, suggesting that it can exert direct systemic effects. In vitro, fucoidan reduced macrophage oxLDL uptake, which resulted in lower foam cell formation. This effect was associated with downregulation of the cholesterol influx-associated scavenger receptor (SR)-A expression, and upregulation of the cholesterol efflux-associated SR-B1 expression. In conclusion, fucoidan prevented oxLDL-mediated foam cell formation in macrophages by downregulating SR-A1/2 and by up-regulating SR-B1.

A High Cholesterol Diet During Late Pregnancy Impairs Long-Term Maternal Vascular Function in Mice

BACKGROUND

Gestational dyslipidemia is associated with pregnancy complications including preeclampsia. However, whether gestational dyslipidemia leads postpartum vascular dysfunction, which could increase the risk for cardiovascular complications later in life, is not known. Here, we aimed to determine whether a gestational dyslipidemia affects postpartum vascular health and induces early signs of atherosclerosis.

METHODS

Pregnant C57BL/6 mice received a high cholesterol diet or control diet from gestational day 13.5 until term. After delivery, all mice received the control diet for ≈3 months postpartum (PP). Age-matched nulliparous females were on the same diets for equal periods. After 3 months, all mice were euthanized, serum was collected, and aortas were isolated to assess vascular function (wire myography) and markers of oxidative stress and early atherosclerosis.

RESULTS

PP-high cholesterol diet females had increased circulating cholesterol levels compared with PP-control diet mice, without effect of the diet in nulliparous mice. Methacholine-induced vasodilation was impaired, and nitric oxide contribution reduced, by the high cholesterol diet in aortas of PP mice, but not in nulliparous mice. Exposure to oxidized low-density-protein cholesterol further impaired methylcholine-induced vasodilation in PP-high cholesterol diet aortas only. Compared with PP-control diet mice, aortic inducible nitric oxide synthase expression, reactive oxygen species and nitrotyrosine levels were increased in aortas from PP-high cholesterol diet mice. No differences in aortic lipid deposition and macrophage infiltration were found.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to a high cholesterol diet in pregnancy impairs vascular function postpartum. Our results support the hypothesis that gestational dyslipidemia impacts maternal vascular function after pregnancy, which could potentially predispose these women to future cardiovascular complications.

Dual effect of amitriptyline in the control of vascular tone: Direct blockade of calcium channel in smooth muscle cells and reduction of TLR4-dependent NO production in endothelial cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Amitriptyline (AM) is a classical and typical tricyclic antidepressant drug. Despite its well-known effects on the nervous system, it has been described to work as a TLR4 antagonist and several clinical works suggested some unexpected cardiovascular effects. The role of amitriptyline on vascular tone is not clear, thus we hypothesized that amitriptyline has a double effect on vascular tone by both endothelial TLR4-dependent nitric oxide down-regulation and calcium channel blockade in smooth muscle cells.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Changes in isometric tension were recorded on a wire myograph. NO production was evaluated by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry in the mouse aorta and EAhy926 cells using DAF fluorescence intensity. Calcium influx was evaluated in A7r5 cells by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to analyze eNOS and nNOS phosphorylation.

KEY RESULTS

AM reduced PE-induced contraction by calcium influx diminution in smooth muscle cells (F/F₀ = 225.6 ± 15.9 and 118.6 ± 17.6 to CT and AM, respectively). AM impaired Ach-dependent vasodilation (Emax = 95.8 ± 1.4; 78.1 ± 1.8; 60.4 ± 2.9 and -7.4 ± 1.0 for CT, 0.01, 0,1 and 1 μmol/L AM, respectively) through reduction of calcium influx and NO availability and TLR4 antagonism in a concentration-dependent manner. AM or TLR4 gene deletion significantly reduced NO production (Fluorescence = 9503 ± 871.7, 2561 ± 282, 4771 ± 728 and 1029 ± 103 to CT, AM, TLR4^-/- and AM + TLR4^-/-, respectively) by an increase in nNOS^ser852 and reduction in eNOS^ser1177 phosphorylation in endothelial cells.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Our data show that amitriptyline impaired vascular function through two different mechanisms: blockade of TLR4 in endothelial cells and consequent decrease in NO production and calcium influx reduction in smooth muscle and endothelial cells. We also suggest, for the first time, nNOS activity reduction by AM in non-neuronal cells.

The expanding roles of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1)

The nitric oxide synthases (NOS; EC 1.14.13.39) use L-arginine as a substrate to produce nitric oxide (NO) as a by-product in the tissue microenvironment. NOS1 represents the predominant NO-producing enzyme highly enriched in the brain and known to mediate multiple functions, ranging from learning and memory development to maintaining synaptic plasticity and neuronal development, Alzheimer's disease (AD), psychiatric disorders and behavioral deficits. However, accumulating evidence indicate both canonical and non-canonical roles of NOS1-derived NO in several other tissues and chronic diseases. A better understanding of NOS1-derived NO signaling, and identification and characterization of NO-metabolites in non-neuronal tissues could become useful in diagnosis and prognosis of diseases associated with NOS1 expression. Continued investigation on the roles of NOS1, therefore, will synthesize new knowledge and aid in the discovery of small molecules which could be used to titrate the activities of NOS1-derived NO signaling and NO-metabolites. Here, we address the significance of NOS1 and its byproduct NO in modifying pathophysiological events, which could be beneficial in understanding both the disease mechanisms and therapeutics.

High-Carbohydrate Diet Enhanced the Anticontractile Effect of Perivascular Adipose Tissue Through Activation of Renin-Angiotensin System

The perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is an active endocrine organ responsible for release several substances that influence on vascular tone. Increasing evidence suggest that hyperactivation of the local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the PVAT plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of cardiometabolic diseases. However, the local RAS contribution to the PVAT control of vascular tone during obesity is still not clear. Since the consumption of a high-carbohydrate diet (HC diet) contributes to obesity inducing a rapid and sustained increase in adiposity, so that the functional activity of PVAT could be modulated, we aimed to evaluate the effect of HC diet on the PVAT control of vascular tone and verify the involvement of RAS in this effect. For that, male Balb/c mice were fed standard or HC diet for 4 weeks. Vascular reactivity, histology, fluorescence, and immunofluorescence analysis were performed in intact thoracic aorta in the presence or absence of PVAT. The results showed that HC diet caused an increase in visceral adiposity and also in the PVAT area. Phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction was significantly reduced in the HC group only in the presence of PVAT. The anticontractile effect of PVAT induced by HC diet was lost when aortic rings were previously incubated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, Mas, and AT₂ receptors antagonists, PI3K, nNOS, and iNOS inhibitors, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) decomposing enzyme or non-selective potassium channels blocker. Immunofluorescence assays showed that both Mas and AT₂ receptors as well as nNOS and iNOS isoforms were markedly expressed in the PVAT of the HC group. Furthermore, the PVAT from HC group also exhibited higher nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide bioavailability. Taken together, these findings suggest that the anticontractile effect of PVAT induced by HC diet involves the signaling cascade triggered by the renin-angiotensin system through the activation of Mas and AT₂ receptors, PI3K, nNOS, and iNOS, leading to increased production of nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide, and subsequently opening of potassium channels. The contribution of PVAT during HC diet-induced obesity could be a compensatory adaptive characteristic in order to preserve the vascular function.

Hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide induce anticontractile effect of perivascular adipose tissue via renin angiotensin system activation

The perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is located around the adventitia, composed primarily by adipocytes, stromal cells, leukocytes, fibroblasts and capillaries. It is well described that PVAT is an important modulator of the vascular tone being considered a biologically active tissue, releasing both vasoconstrictor and vasodilators factors. The literature shows that the anti-contractile effect induced by PVAT may be due to activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS).

AIM

Investigate whether the renin-angiotensin system participates in the effect exerted by perivascular adipose tissue on the vascular tone.

METHODS AND RESULTS

For this study we used thoracic aorta from Balb/c mice and performed vascular reactivity, nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide quantification using selective probes and fluorescence microscopy, immunofluorescence to locate receptors and enzymes involved in this response. Our results demonstrated that perivascular adipose tissue induces an anti-contractile effect in endothelium-independent manner and involves Mas and AT₂ receptors participation with subsequent PI3K/Akt pathway activation. This pathway culminated with nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide production by neuronal nitric oxide synthase, being hydrogen peroxide most relevant for the anti-contractile effect of perivascular adipose tissue.

CONCLUSION

For the first time in the literature, our results show the presence of Mas and AT₂ receptors, as well as, nitric oxide synthase on perivascular adipose tissue. Furthermore, our results show the involvement of Mas and AT₂ receptors and consequently nitric oxide synthase activation in the anti-contractile effect exerted by perivascular adipose tissue.

Resistance exercise mediates remote ischemic preconditioning by limiting cardiac eNOS uncoupling

BACKGROUND

Currently viewed as a complementary non-pharmacological intervention for preventing cardiac disorders, long-term aerobic training produces cardioprotection through remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) mechanisms. However, RIPC triggered by acute exercise remains poorly understood. Although resistance exercise (RE) has been highly recommended by several public health guidelines, there is no evidence showing that RE mediates RIPC. Hence, we investigated whether RE induces cardiac RIPC through nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-dependent mechanism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Acute RE at 40% of the maximal load augmented systemic nitrite levels, associated with increased cardiac eNOS phosphorylation, without affecting nNOS activity. Using an experimental model of myocardial infarction (MI) through ischemia-reperfusion (IR), RE fully prevented the loss of cardiac contractility and the extent of MI size compared to non-exercised (NE) rats. Moreover, RE mitigated aberrant ST-segment and reduced life-threatening arrhythmias induced by IR. Importantly, inhibition of NOS abolished the RE-mediated cardioprotection. After IR, NE rats showed increased cardiac eNOS activity, associated with reduced dimer/monomer ratio. Supporting the pivotal role of eNOS coupling during MI, non-exercised rats displayed a marked generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative-induced carbonylation of proteins, whereas RE prevented these responses. We validated our data demonstrating a restoration of physiological ROS levels in NE + IR cardiac sections treated with BH₄, a cofactor oxidatively depleted during eNOS uncoupling, while cardiac ROS generation from exercised rats remained unchanged, suggesting no physiological needs of supplemental eNOS cofactors.

CONCLUSION

Together, our findings strongly indicate that RE mediates RIPC by limiting eNOS uncoupling and mitigates myocardial IR injury.

Modulation of nNOSser852 phosphorylation and translocation by PKA/PP1 pathway in endothelial cells

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is now considered an important player in vascular function. It has a protective role in atherosclerosis and hypertension. However, despite its importance, little is known about the mechanisms that regulate its activity in vascular cells. Here we explore the mechanisms by which nNOS is activated in endothelium. We evaluated aorta relaxation response and phosphorylation of nNOS during protein phosphatases 1 and 2 (PP1 and PP2) inhibition, in eNOS silenced mice. PP1 translocation and interaction between the nuclear inhibitor of PP1 (NIPP1) and PP1 was evaluated in endothelial EA.hy926 cells. We demonstrate here that acetylcholine (Ach)-induced relaxation is completely abolished by nNOS inhibition in eNOS silenced mice aorta which also decreased NO and H₂O₂ concentrations. ACh induced dephosphorylation of nNOS^ser852 in aorta after 20 min stimulation. Endothelial cells also showed a decrease in nNOS^ser852 phosphorylation during 20 min of ACh stimulation. PP2 inhibition had no effect on Ach-induced nNOS^Ser852 dephosphorylation in endothelial cells and did not modify Ach-induced vasodilation in aorta from eNOS silenced mice. Non-selective PP1/PP2 inhibition prevented nNOSSer852 dephosphorylation in endothelial cells and prevented Ach-induced vasodilation in eNOS silenced mice. ACh induced time-dependent PP1 and NIPP1 dissociation and PP1 translocation to cytoplasm. Protein kinase A (PKA) inhibition abolished PP1 translocation and further nNOS^ser852 dephosphorylation. In addition, 8-Br-cAMP reduced NIPP1/PP1 interaction, stimulated PP1 translocation and nNOS^ser852 dephosphorylation. Moreover, PKA Inhibition led to a decreased nNOS translocation to perinuclear region. Taken together, our results elucidate a mechanism whereby PP1 is activated by a cAMP/PKA-dependent pathway, leading to dephosphorylation of nNOS^ser852 and subsequent NO and possible H₂O₂ production resulting in endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation.