Ion channels as effectors of cyclic nucleotide pathways: Functional relevance for arterial tone regulation

Nitric oxide in the cardio-cerebrovascular system: Source, regulation and application

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role as a messenger or effector in the body, yet it presents a dual impact on cardio-cerebrovascular health. Under normal physiological conditions, NO exhibits vasodilatory effects, regulates blood pressure, inhibits platelet aggregation, and offers neuroprotective actions. However, in pathological situations, excessive NO production contributes to or worsens inflammation within the body. Moreover, NO may combine with reactive oxygen species (ROS), generating harmful substances that intensify physical harm. This paper succinctly reviews pertinent literature to clarify the in vivo and in vitro origins of NO, its regulatory function in the cardio-cerebrovascular system, and the advantages and disadvantages associated with NO donor drugs, NO delivery systems, and vascular stent materials for treating cardio-cerebrovascular disease. The findings provide a theoretical foundation for the application of NO in cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

Insights into the post-translational modifications in heart failure

Heart failure (HF), as the terminal manifestation of multiple cardiovascular diseases, causes a huge socioeconomic burden worldwide. Despite the advances in drugs and medical-assisted devices, the prognosis of HF remains poor. HF is well-accepted as a myriad of subcellular dys-synchrony related to detrimental structural and functional remodelling of cardiac components, including cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells and macrophages. Through the covalent chemical process, post-translational modifications (PTMs) can coordinate protein functions, such as re-localizing cellular proteins, marking proteins for degradation, inducing interactions with other proteins and tuning enzyme activities, to participate in the progress of HF. Phosphorylation, acetylation, and ubiquitination predominate in the currently reported PTMs. In addition, advanced HF is commonly accompanied by metabolic remodelling including enhanced glycolysis. Thus, glycosylation induced by disturbed energy supply is also important. In this review, firstly, we addressed the main types of HF. Then, considering that PTMs are associated with subcellular locations, we summarized the leading regulation mechanisms in organelles of distinctive cell types of different types of HF, respectively. Subsequently, we outlined the aforementioned four PTMs of key proteins and signaling sites in HF. Finally, we discussed the perspectives of PTMs for potential therapeutic targets in HF.

The antidiabetic drug ipragliflozin induces vasorelaxation of rabbit femoral artery by activating a Kv channel, the SERCA pump, and the PKA signaling pathway

We explored the vasorelaxant effects of ipragliflozin, a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, on rabbit femoral arterial rings. Ipragliflozin relaxed phenylephrine-induced pre-contracted rings in a dose-dependent manner. Pre-treatment with the ATP-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor glibenclamide (10 μM), the inwardly rectifying K+ channel inhibitor Ba2+ (50 μM), or the Ca2+-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor paxilline (10 μM) did not influence the vasorelaxant effect. However, the voltage-dependent K+ (Kv) channel inhibitor 4-aminopyridine (3 mM) reduced the vasorelaxant effect. Specifically, the vasorelaxant response to ipragliflozin was significantly attenuated by pretreatment with the Kv7.X channel inhibitors linopirdine (10 μM) and XE991 (10 μM), the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) pump inhibitors thapsigargin (1 μM) and cyclopiazonic acid (10 μM), and the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA)-associated signaling pathway inhibitors SQ22536 (50 μM) and KT5720 (1 μM). Neither the cGMP/protein kinase G (PKG)-associated signaling pathway nor the endothelium was involved in ipragliflozin-induced vasorelaxation. We conclude that ipragliflozin induced vasorelaxation of rabbit femoral arteries by activating Kv channels (principally the Kv7.X channel), the SERCA pump, and the cAMP/PKA-associated signaling pathway independent of other K+ (ATP-sensitive K+, inwardly rectifying K+, and Ca2+-sensitive K+) channels, cGMP/PKG-associated signaling, and the endothelium.

Hesperetin Relaxes Depolarizing Contraction in Human Umbilical Vein by Inhibiting L-Type Ca2+ Channel

OBJECTIVE

To study hesperetin-induced vasorelaxation after depolarizing contraction in human umbilical veins (HUVs) to elucidate the role of L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) and related signaling pathway.

METHODS

Isometric tension recording was performed in HUV rings pre-contracted with K+. Hesperetin relaxing mechanism was investigated using a LTCC opener (BayK8644) and blockers of cyclic nucleotides and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Whole-cell patch-clamping in A7r5 cells, a rat vascular smooth muscle cell line, was performed to study the effect of hesperetin on LTCC current.

RESULTS

After depolarizing precontraction, hesperetin induced HUV relaxation concentration-dependently and endothelium-independently; 1 mmol/L hesperetin reduced denuded HUV ring tension by 68.7% ± 4.3% compared to matching vehicle, osmolality, and time controls (P<0.0001). Importantly, hesperetin competitively inhibited BayK8644-induced contraction, shifting the half maximal effective concentration of BayK8644 response from 1.08 nmol/L [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-2.40] in vehicle control to 11.30 nmol/L (95% CI 5.45-23.41) in hesperetin (P=0.0001). Moreover, hesperetin elicited further vasorelaxation in denuded HUV rings pretreated with inhibitors of soluble guanylyl cyclase, adenylyl cyclase, PDE3, PDE4, and PDE5 (P<0.01), while rings pretreated with PDE1 inhibitors could not be relaxed by hesperetin (P>0.05). However, simultaneously applying inhibitors of soluble guanylyl cyclase and adenylyl cyclase could not inhibit hesperetin's effect (P>0.05). In whole-cell patch-clamping, hesperetin rapidly decreased LTCC current in A7r5 cells to 66.7% ± 5.8% (P=0.0104).

CONCLUSIONS

Hesperetin diminishes depolarizing contraction of human vascular smooth muscle through inhibition of LTCC, and not cyclic nucleotides nor PDEs. Our evidence supports direct LTCC interaction and provides additional basis for the use of hesperetin and its precursor hesperidin as vasodilators and may lead to future vasodilator drug development as a treatment alternative for cardiovascular diseases.

Global and endothelial G-protein coupled receptor 75 (GPR75) knockout relaxes pulmonary artery and mitigates hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension

RATIONALE

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a multifactorial disease with a poor prognosis and inadequate treatment options. We found two-fold higher expression of the orphan G-Protein Coupled Receptor 75 (GPR75) in leukocytes and pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from idiopathic PH patients and from lungs of C57BL/6 mice exposed to hypoxia. We therefore postulated that GPR75 signaling is critical to the pathogenesis of PH.

METHODS

To test this hypothesis, we exposed global (Gpr75-/-) and endothelial cell (EC) GPR75 knockout (EC-Gpr75-/-) mice and wild-type (control) mice to hypoxia (10% oxygen) or normal atmospheric oxygen for 5 weeks. We then recorded echocardiograms and performed right heart catheterizations.

RESULTS

Chronic hypoxia increased right ventricular systolic and diastolic pressures in wild-type mice but not Gpr75-/- or EC-Gpr75-/- mice. In situ hybridization and qPCR results revealed that Gpr75 expression was increased in the alveoli, airways and pulmonary arteries of mice exposed to hypoxia. In addition, levels of chemokine (CC motif) ligand 5 (CCL5), a low affinity ligand of GPR75, were increased in the lungs of wild-type, but not Gpr75-/-, mice exposed to hypoxia, and CCL5 enhanced hypoxia-induced contraction of intra-lobar pulmonary arteries in a GPR75-dependent manner. Gpr75 knockout also increased pulmonary cAMP levels and decreased contraction of intra-lobar pulmonary arteries evoked by endothelin-1 or U46619 in cAMP-protein kinase A-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest GPR75 has a significant role in the development of hypoxia-induced PH.

R-(+)-WIN55212-2 protects pericytes from ischemic damage and restores retinal microcirculatory patency after ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Cannabinoids are vasoactive substances that act as key regulators of arterial tone in the blood vessels supplying peripheral tissues and the central nervous system. This study aimed to investigate the potential of R-(+)-WIN55212-2 (WIN), a cannabinoid receptor 1 agonist (CB1), as a treatment for retinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Male Wistar rats were subjected to retinal I/R injury by increasing intraocular pressure in the anterior chamber. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, I/R, vehicle (pre-treated with dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO] via intraperitoneal injection), and experimental (pre-treated with WIN at a dose of 1 ml/kg via intraperitoneal injection). The rats were sacrificed at different time points of reperfusion (1 hour, 3 hours, 6 hours, and 1 day) after inducing retinal I/R injury, and their retinas were collected for analysis. Oxygen-glucose deprived/reperfusion (OGD/R) was performed by initially perfusing the retinas with oxygenated artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF), then switching to an OGD solution to simulate ischemia, followed by another perfusion with ACSF. Pericyte contraction and the "no-reflow" phenomenon were observed using infrared differential interference contrast (IR-DIC) microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and nitric oxide (NO) detection were used to explore the potential mechanism.

KEY RESULTS

In both the OGD/R and I/R models, retinal pericytes exhibited persistent contraction even after reperfusion. The ability of WIN to regulate the tone of retinal pericytes and capillaries was specifically blocked by the BKCa inhibitor iberiotoxin (100 nM). WIN demonstrated a protective effect against retinal I/R injury by preserving blood flow in vessels containing pericytes. Pretreatment with WIN alleviated the persistent contraction and apoptosis of retinal pericytes in I/R-induced rats, accompanied by a reduction in intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration. The expression of CB1 decreased in a time-dependent manner in the I/R group. After I/R injury, endothelium-derived nitric oxide (eNOS) levels were reduced at all time points, which was successfully reversed by WIN therapy except for the 1 day group. Additionally, the downregulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and BKCa expression at 3 hours, 6 hours, and 1 day after I/R injury was restored by pretreatment of WIN.

CONCLUSIONS & IMPLICATIONS

WIN exerted its protective effects on retinal I/R injury by inhibiting the contraction and apoptosis of pericytes through the CB1-eNOS-cGMP-BKCa signaling pathway, thus ameliorated the occlusion of retinal capillaries.

The Inhibitory Effects of RNA-Interference-Mediated Guanylate Cyclase Knockdown on Larval Metamorphosis and Early Progeny Growth of Razor Clam

Guanylate cyclase (GC, cGMPase) is a key enzyme in organisms, catalyzing the synthesis of cGMP from GTP, thus making cGMP work. cGMP plays a vital role in the regulation of cell and biological growth as a second messenger in signaling pathways. In this study, we screened and identified cGMPase from the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta, which encoded 1257 amino acids and was widely expressed in different tissues, especially the gill and liver. We also screened one double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), cGMPase, which was used to knockdown cGMPase at three larval metamorphosis development stages: trochophores-veliger larve, veliger larve-umbo larve, and umbo larve-creeping larvae. We showed that interference at these stages significantly inhibited larval metamorphosis and survival rates. cGMPase knockdown resulted in an average metamorphosis rate of 60% and an average mortality rate of 50% when compared with control clams. After 50 days, shell length and body weight were inhibited to 53% and 66%, respectively. Thus, cGMPase appeared to regulate metamorphosis development and growth in S. constricta. By examining the role of the key gene in the metamorphosis development of S. constricta larvae and the growth and development period, we can provide some data reference for studying the growth and development mechanism of shellfish, and the results provided basic information for the breeding of S. constricta.

Impaired Platelet Function and Thrombus Formation in PDE5A-Deficient Mice

Intracellular cyclic GMP (cGMP) inhibits platelet function. Platelet cGMP levels are controlled by phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A)-mediated degradation. However, the exact role of PDE5A in platelet function and thrombus formation remains poorly understood. In this study, we characterized the role of PDE5A in platelet activation and function. Platelets were isolated from wild type or PDE5A^-/- mice to measure platelet aggregation, activation, phosphatidylserine exposure (annexin-V binding), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, platelet spreading as well as clot retraction. Cytosolic calcium mobilization was measured using Fluo-4 AM by a microplate reader. Western blot was used to measure the phosphorylation of VASP, ERK1/2, p38, JNK, and AKT. FeCl₃-induced arterial thrombosis and venous thrombosis were assessed to evaluate the in vivo hemostatic function and thrombus formation. Additionally, in vitro thrombus formation was assessed in a microfluidic whole-blood perfusion assay. PDE5A-deficient mice presented significantly prolonged tail bleeding time and delayed arterial and venous thrombus formation. PDE5A deficiency significantly inhibited platelet aggregation, ATP release, P-selectin expression, and integrin aIIbb3 activation. In addition, an impaired spreading on collagen or fibrinogen and clot retraction was observed in PDE5A-deficient platelets. Moreover, PDE5A deficiency reduced phosphatidylserine exposure, calcium mobilization, ROS production, and increased intracellular cGMP level along with elevated VASP phosphorylation and reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38, JNK, and AKT. In conclusion, PDE5A modulates platelet activation and function and thrombus formation, indicating that therapeutically targeting it might be beneficial for the treatment of thrombotic diseases.

Aging-induced down-regulation of Pka/Bkca pathway in rat cerebral arteries

The incidence of cerebrovascular diseases increases significantly with aging. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that aging may influence the protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent vasodilation via RyR/BKCa pathway in the middle cerebral arteries (MCA). Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control (4-6 month-old) and aged (24-month-old) groups. The functions of MCA and ion channel activities in smooth muscle cells were examined using myograph system and patch-clamp. Aging decreased the isoproterenol/forskolin-induced relaxation in the MCA. Large-conductance Ca2+-activated-K+ (BKCa) channel inhibitor, iberiotoxin, significantly attenuated the forskolin-induced vasodilatation and hyperpolarization in the young group, but not in the aged group. The amplitude and frequency of spontaneous transient outward currents (STOCs) were significantly decreased in the aged group. Single channel recording revealed that the mean open time of BKCa channels were decreased, while an increased mean closed time of BKCa channels were found in the aged group. The Ca2+/voltage sensitivity of the channels was decreased accompanied by reduced BKCa α and β1-subunit, the expression of RyR2, PKA-Cα and PKA-Cβ subunits were also declined in the aged group. Aging induced down-regulation of PKA/BKCa pathway in cerebral artery in rats. The results provides new information on further understanding in cerebrovascular diseases resulted from age-related cerebral vascular dysfunction.

Grk7 but not Grk1 undergoes cAMP-dependent phosphorylation in zebrafish cone photoreceptors and mediates cone photoresponse recovery to elevated cAMP

In the vertebrate retina, phosphorylation of photoactivated visual pigments in rods and cones by G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) is essential for sustained visual function. Previous in vitro analysis demonstrated that GRK1 and GRK7 are phosphorylated by PKA, resulting in a reduced capacity to phosphorylate rhodopsin. In vivo observations revealed that GRK phosphorylation occurs in the dark and is cAMP dependent. In many vertebrates, including humans and zebrafish, GRK1 is expressed in both rods and cones while GRK7 is expressed only in cones. However, mice express only GRK1 in both rods and cones and lack GRK7. We recently generated a mutation in Grk1 that deletes the phosphorylation site, Ser21. This mutant demonstrated delayed dark adaptation in mouse rods but not in cones in vivo, suggesting GRK1 may serve a different role depending upon the photoreceptor cell type in which it is expressed. Here, zebrafish were selected to evaluate the role of cAMP-dependent GRK phosphorylation in cone photoreceptor recovery. Electroretinogram analyses of larvae treated with forskolin show that elevated intracellular cAMP significantly decreases recovery of the cone photoresponse, which is mediated by Grk7a rather than Grk1b. Using a cone-specific dominant negative PKA transgene, we show for the first time that PKA is required for Grk7a phosphorylation in vivo. Lastly, immunoblot analyses of rod grk1a-/- and cone grk1b-/- zebrafish and Nrl-/- mouse show that cone-expressed Grk1 does not undergo cAMP-dependent phosphorylation in vivo. These results provide a better understanding of the function of Grk phosphorylation relative to cone adaptation and recovery.

Evaluation of the Cardiac Electrophysiological and Haemodynamic Effects of Elsholtzia ciliata Essential Oil on Swine

The demand for the development of novel medicines with few side effects and no proarrhythmic properties is increasing. Extensive research on herbal extracts has been conducted with the expectation that the compounds will exert precise effects without harmful side effects. Elsholtzia ciliata (Thunb.) Hyl. essential oil (EO) possesses antiarrhythmic properties similar to those of class 1B antiarrhythmics, such as prolonging myocardial activation of the QRS complex and shortening the QT interval. In this study, we determined the kinetic profile of EO phytocompounds and the effects of EO on heart electrical activity and arterial blood pressure. For this study, we chose to use local breed pigs that were anaesthetized. The effects of an intravenous bolus of EO on ECG parameters, arterial blood pressure, heart rate variability, and blood levels of haematological and biochemical parameters were registered and evaluated. Following an intravenous injection of a bolus, EO exerted a vasodilatory effect, resulting in significant reductions in arterial blood pressure. EO also increased the heart rate and altered ECG parameters. The bolus of EO prolonged the QRS complex, shortened the QT interval, and nonmonotonically altered the PQ interval. After the administration of a bolus of EO, the activity of the autonomic nervous system was altered. This study confirms that EO possesses similar properties to class 1B antiarrhythmics and exerts a hypotensive effect; it reduces arterial blood pressure possibly by modulating peripheral vascular resistance.

Iptakalim improves cerebral microcirculation in mice after ischemic stroke by inhibiting pericyte contraction

Pericytes are present tight around the intervals of capillaries, play an essential role in stabilizing the blood-brain barrier, regulating blood flow and immunomodulation, and persistent contraction of pericytes eventually leads to impaired blood flow and poor clinical outcomes in ischemic stroke. We previously show that iptakalim, an ATP-sensitive potassium (K-ATP) channel opener, exerts protective effects in neurons, and glia against ischemia-induced injury. In this study we investigated the impacts of iptakalim on pericytes contraction in stroke. Mice were subjected to cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), then administered iptakalim (10 mg/kg, ip). We showed that iptakalim administration significantly promoted recovery of cerebral blood flow after cerebral ischemia and reperfusion. Furthermore, we found that iptakalim significantly inhibited pericytes contraction, decreased the number of obstructed capillaries, and improved cerebral microcirculation. Using a collagen gel contraction assay, we demonstrated that cultured pericytes subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) consistently contracted from 3 h till 24 h during reoxygenation, whereas iptakalim treatment (10 μM) notably restrained pericyte contraction from 6 h during reoxygenation. We further showed that iptakalim treatment promoted K-ATP channel opening via suppressing SUR2/EPAC1 complex formation. Consequently, it reduced calcium influx and ET-1 release. Taken together, our results demonstrate that iptakalim, targeted K-ATP channels, can improve microvascular disturbance by inhibiting pericyte contraction after ischemic stroke. Our work reveals that iptakalim might be developed as a promising pericyte regulator for treatment of stroke.

Discovery of a highly specific 18F-labeled PET ligand for phosphodiesterase 10A enabled by novel spirocyclic iodonium ylide radiofluorination

As a member of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzyme family, PDE10A is in charge of the degradation of cyclic adenosine (cAMP) and guanosine monophosphates (cGMP). While PDE10A is primarily expressed in the medium spiny neurons of the striatum, it has been implicated in a variety of neurological disorders. Indeed, inhibition of PDE10A has proven to be of potential use for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) pathologies caused by dysfunction of the basal ganglia–of which the striatum constitutes the largest component. A PDE10A-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand would enable a better assessment of the pathophysiologic role of PDE10A, as well as confirm the relationship between target occupancy and administrated dose of a given drug candidate, thus accelerating the development of effective PDE10A inhibitors. In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel ¹⁸F-aryl PDE10A PET radioligand, codenamed [¹⁸F]P10A-1910 ([¹⁸F]9), in high radiochemical yield and molar activity via spirocyclic iodonium ylide-mediated radiofluorination. [¹⁸F]9 possessed good in vitro binding affinity (IC₅₀ = 2.1 nmol/L) and selectivity towards PDE10A. Further, [¹⁸F]9 exhibited reasonable lipophilicity (logD = 3.50) and brain permeability (P_app > 10 × 10⁻⁶ cm/s in MDCK-MDR1 cells). PET imaging studies of [¹⁸F]9 revealed high striatal uptake and excellent in vivo specificity with reversible tracer kinetics. Preclinical studies in rodents revealed an improved plasma and brain stability of [¹⁸F]9 when compared to the current reference standard for PDE10A-targeted PET, [¹⁸F]MNI659. Further, dose–response experiments with a series of escalating doses of PDE10A inhibitor 1 in rhesus monkey brains confirmed the utility of [¹⁸F]9 for evaluating target occupancy in vivo in higher species. In conclusion, our results indicated that [¹⁸F]9 is a promising PDE10A PET radioligand for clinical translation.

PDE-Mediated Cyclic Nucleotide Compartmentation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: From Basic to a Clinical Perspective

Cardiovascular diseases are important causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are major components of blood vessels and are involved in physiologic and pathophysiologic conditions. In healthy vessels, vascular SMCs contribute to vasotone and regulate blood flow by cyclic nucleotide intracellular pathways. However, vascular SMCs lose their contractile phenotype under pathological conditions and alter contractility or signalling mechanisms, including cyclic nucleotide compartmentation. In the present review, we focus on compartmentalized signaling of cyclic nucleotides in vascular smooth muscle. A deeper understanding of these mechanisms clarifies the most relevant axes for the regulation of vascular tone. Furthermore, this allows the detection of possible changes associated with pathological processes, which may be of help for the discovery of novel drugs.

Fetoplacental vasculature as a model to study human cardiovascular endocrine disruption

Increasing evidence has associated the exposure of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) with the cardiovascular (CV) system. This exposure is particularly problematic in a sensitive window of development, pregnancy. Pregnancy exposome can affect the overall health of the pregnancy by dramatic changes in vascular physiology and endocrine activity, increasing maternal susceptibility. Moreover, fetoplacental vascular function is generally altered, increasing the risk of developing pregnancy complications (including cardiovascular diseases, CVD) and predisposing the foetus to adverse health risks later in life. Thus, our review summarizes the existing literature on exposures to EDCs during pregnancy and adverse maternal health outcomes, focusing on the human placenta, vein, and umbilical artery associated with pregnancy complications. The purpose of this review is to highlight the role of fetoplacental vasculature as a model for the study of human cardiovascular endocrine disruption. Therefore, we emphasize that the placenta, together with the umbilical arteries and veins, allows a better characterization of the pregnant woman's exposome. Consequently, it contributes to the protection of the mother and foetus against CV disorders in life.

Ion channels as convergence points in the pathology of pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a fatal disease of the cardiopulmonary system that lacks curative treatments. The main pathological event in PAH is elevated vascular resistance in the pulmonary circulation, caused by abnormal vasoconstriction and vascular remodelling. Ion channels are key determinants of vascular smooth muscle tone and homeostasis, and four PAH channelopathies (KCNK3, ABCC8, KCNA5, TRPC6) have been identified so far. However, the contribution of ion channels in other forms of PAH, which account for the majority of PAH patients, has been less well characterised. Here we reason that a variety of triggers of PAH (e.g. BMPR2 mutations, hypoxia, anorectic drugs) that impact channel function may contribute to the onset of the disease. We review the molecular mechanisms by which these ‘extrinsic’ factors converge on ion channels and provoke their dysregulation to promote the development of PAH. Ion channels of the pulmonary vasculature are therefore promising therapeutic targets because of the modulation they provide to both vasomotor tone and proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells.

Network Pharmacology Analysis of the Effects of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix Plus Semen Vaccariae on Migraine-Induced Erectile Dysfunction

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix plus Semen Vaccariae are traditional Chinese medicines, which have been widely applied in the treatment of migraine and erectile dysfunction (ED) for many years. The aim of this study is to verify the effect of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix plus Semen Vaccariae in improving migraine-induced ED and explore its potential mechanism.

METHODS

Key targets and signaling pathways of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix plus Semen Vaccariae in migraine-induced erectile dysfunction treatment were predicted by network pharmacology. A rat model of migraine was established by nitroglycerin injection. Apomorphine was injected into rats to screen the migraine-induced erectile dysfunction model, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix-Semen Vaccariae granule suspension administered, and erectile function evaluated. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to compare the histological structure of the penile tissue, while RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to determine mRNA and protein levels, respectively.

RESULTS

Screening allowed us to identify common targets for migraine and ED; the signaling pathway exhibiting the greatest change the Myosin light chain kinase- Calcium (MLCK-CaM) signal pathway. From Western blotting and RT-qPCR, we found that the levels of MLCK mRNA and protein in rats from Group B rats were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in Groups A and C. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of CaM were significantly higher in Group B (P<0.05) than in Groups A and C.

CONCLUSION

Data indicate that the regulatory effects of Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix plus Semen Vaccariae on migraine-induced ED in a rat model are mediated by the MLCK-CaM signaling pathway.

Phosphoproteomic Analysis as an Approach for Understanding Molecular Mechanisms of cAMP-Dependent Actions

In recent years, highly sensitive mass spectrometry-based phosphoproteomic analysis is beginning to be applied to identification of protein kinase substrates altered downstream of increased cAMP. Such studies identify a very large number of phosphorylation sites regulated in response to increased cAMP. Therefore, we now are tasked with the challenge of determining how many of these altered phosphorylation sites are relevant to regulation of function in the cell. This minireview describes the use of phosphoproteomic analysis to monitor the effects of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors on cAMP-dependent phosphorylation events. More specifically, it describes two examples of this approach carried out in the authors' laboratories using the selective PDE inhibitor approach. After a short discussion of several likely conclusions suggested by these analyses of cAMP function in steroid hormone-producing cells and also in T-cells, it expands into a discussion about some newer and more speculative interpretations of the data. These include the idea that multiple phosphorylation sites and not a single rate-limiting step likely regulate these and, by analogy, many other cAMP-dependent pathways. In addition, the idea that meaningful regulation requires a high stoichiometry of phosphorylation to be important is discussed and suggested to be untrue in many instances. These new interpretations have important implications for drug design, especially for targeting pathway agonists. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Phosphoproteomic analyses identify thousands of altered phosphorylation sites upon drug treatment, providing many possible regulatory targets but also highlighting questions about which phosphosites are functionally important. These data imply that multistep processes are regulated by phosphorylation at not one but rather many sites. Most previous studies assumed a single step or very few rate-limiting steps were changed by phosphorylation. This concept should be changed. Previous interpretations also assumed substoichiometric phosphorylation was not of regulatory importance. This assumption also should be changed.

Fine tuning by protein kinases of CaV1.2 channel current in rat tail artery myocytes

Seventeen compounds, rather selective, direct or indirect inhibitors and activators of PKA, PKG, and PKC, were analysed for effects on vascular Ca_V1.2 channel current (I_Ca1.2) by using the patch-clamp technique in single rat tail artery myocytes. The aim was to investigate how PKs regulate I_Ca1.2 and disclose any unexpected modulation of Ca_V1.2 channel function by these agents. The cAMP analogues 8-Br-cAMP and 6-Bnz-cAMP partially reduced I_Ca1.2 in dialysed cells, while weakly increasing it under the perforated configuration. The β-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol and the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin concentration-dependently increased I_Ca1.2; this effect was reversed by PKA inhibitors H-89 and KT5720, but not by PKI 6-22. The cGMP analogue 8-Br-cGMP, similarly to the NO-donor SNP, moderately reduced I_Ca1.2, this effect being reversed to a slight stimulation under the perforated configuration. Among PKG inhibitors, Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS decreased current amplitude in a concentration-dependent manner while Rp-8-Br-cGMPS was ineffective. The non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX increased I_Ca1.2, while H-89, KT5720, and PKI 6-22 antagonized this effect. The PKC activator PMA, but not the diacylglycerol analogue OAG, stimulated I_Ca1.2 in a concentration-dependent manner; conversely, the PKCα inhibitor Gö6976 markedly reduced basal I_Ca1.2 and, similarly to the PKCδ (rottlerin) and PKCε translocation inhibitors antagonised PMA-induced current stimulation. The ensemble of findings indicates that the stimulation of cAMP/PKA, in spite of the paradoxical effect of both 8-Br-cAMP and 6-Bnz-cAMP, or PKC pathways enhanced, while that of cGMP/PKG weakly inhibited I_Ca1.2 in rat tail artery myocytes. Since Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS and Gö6976 appeared to block directly Ca_V1.2 channel, their docking to the channel protein was investigated. Both compounds appeared to bind the α_1C subunit in a region involved in Ca_V1.2 channel inactivation, forming an interaction network comparable to that of Ca_V1.2 channel blockers. Therefore, caution should accompany the use of these agents as pharmacological tools to elucidate the mechanism of action of drugs on vascular preparations.

Proteomic Analysis of KCNK3 Loss of Expression Identified Dysregulated Pathways in Pulmonary Vascular Cells

The physiopathology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) and endothelial cell (PAEC) dysfunction, contributing to pulmonary arterial obstruction and PAH progression. KCNK3 loss of function mutations are responsible for the first channelopathy identified in PAH. Loss of KCNK3 function/expression is a hallmark of PAH. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in KCNK3 dysfunction are mostly unknown. To identify the pathological molecular mechanisms downstream of KCNK3 in human PASMCs (hPASMCs) and human PAECs (hPAECs), we used a Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry-based proteomic approach to identify the molecular pathways regulated by KCNK3. KCNK3 loss of expression was induced in control hPASMCs or hPAECs by specific siRNA targeting KCNK3. We found that the loss of KCNK3 expression in hPAECs and hPASMCs leads to 326 and 222 proteins differentially expressed, respectively. Among them, 53 proteins were common to hPAECs and hPASMCs. The specific proteome remodeling in hPAECs in absence of KCNK3 was mostly related to the activation of glycolysis, the superpathway of methionine degradation, and the mTOR signaling pathways, and to a reduction in EIF2 signaling pathways. In hPASMCs, we found an activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathways and a reduction in EIF2 signaling and the Purine Nucleotides De Novo Biosynthesis II and IL-8 signaling pathways. Common to hPAECs and hPASMCs, we found that the loss of KCNK3 expression leads to the activation of the NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response and a reduction in the interferon pathway. In the hPAECs and hPASMCs, we found an increased expression of HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) and a decreased IFIT3 (interferon-induced proteins with tetratricopeptide repeats 3) (confirmed by Western blotting), allowing us to identify these axes to understand the consequences of KCNK3 dysfunction. Our experiments, based on the loss of KCNK3 expression by a specific siRNA strategy in control hPAECs and hPASMCs, allow us to identify differences in the activation of several signaling pathways, indicating the key role played by KCNK3 dysfunction in the development of PAH. Altogether, these results allow us to better understand the consequences of KCNK3 dysfunction and suggest that KCNK3 loss of expression acts in favor of the proliferation and migration of hPASMCs and promotes the metabolic shift and apoptosis resistance of hPAECs.

Inhibition of type 4 cAMP-phosphodiesterases (PDE4s) in mice induces hypothermia via effects on behavioral and central autonomous thermoregulation

Inhibitors of Type 4 cAMP-phosphodiesterases (PDE4s) exert a number of promising therapeutic benefits, including potent anti-inflammatory, memory- and cognition-enhancing, metabolic, and antineoplastic effects. We report here that treatment with a number of distinct PDE4 inhibitors, including Rolipram, Piclamilast, Roflumilast and RS25344, but not treatment with the PDE3-selective inhibitor Cilostamide, induces a rapid (10-30 min), substantial (-5 °C) and long-lasting (up to 5 h) decrease in core body temperature of C57BL/6 mice; thus, identifying a critical role of PDE4 also in the regulation of body temperature. As little as 0.04 mg/kg of the archetypal PDE4 inhibitor Rolipram induces hypothermia. As similar or higher doses of Rolipram were used in a majority of published animal studies, most of the reported findings are likely paralleled by, or potentially impacted by hypothermia induced by these drugs. We further show that PDE4 inhibition affects central body temperature regulation and acts by lowering the cold-defense balance point of behavioral (including posture and locomotion) and autonomous (including cutaneous tail vasodilation) cold-defense mechanisms. In line with the idea of an effect on central body temperature regulation, hypothermia is induced by moderate doses of various brain-penetrant PDE4 inhibitors, but not by similar doses of YM976, a PDE4 inhibitor that does not efficiently cross the blood-brain barrier. Finally, to begin delineating the mechanism of drug-induced hypothermia, we show that blockade of D2/3-type dopaminergic, but not β-adrenergic, H1-histaminergic or opiate receptors, can alleviate PDE4 inhibitor-induced hypothermia. We thus propose that increased D2/3-type dopaminergic signaling, triggered by PDE4 inhibitor-induced and cAMP-mediated dopamine release in the thermoregulatory centers of the hypothalamus, is a significant contributor to PDE4 inhibitor-induced hypothermia.

Metformin and Vascular Diseases: A Focused Review on Smooth Muscle Cell Function

Metformin has been used in diabetes for more than 60 years and has excellent safety in the therapy of human type 2 diabetes (T2D). There is growing evidence that the beneficial health effects of metformin are beyond its ability to improve glucose metabolism. Metformin not only reduces the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in T2D patients, but also reduces the burden of atherosclerosis (AS) in pre-diabetes patients. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) function is an important factor in determining the characteristics of the entire arterial vessel. Its excessive proliferation contributes to the etiology of several types of CVD, including AS, restenosis, and pulmonary hypertension. Current studies show that metformin has a beneficial effect on VSMCs function. Therefore, this review provides a timely overview of the role and molecular mechanisms by which metformin acts through VSMCs to protect CVD.