The functional role of PI3K in maintenance of blood pressure and baroreflex suppression in (mRen2)27 and mRen2.Lewis rat

The Cholinergic Amelioration of Sepsis-Induced Baroreflex Dysfunction and Brainstem Inflammation Is Negated by Central Adenosine A3 Receptors

Background/Objectives: Sepsis has been shown to depress arterial baroreceptor function, and this effect is counterbalanced by the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Considering the importance of central adenosine receptors in baroreceptor function, this study tested whether central adenosine A3 receptors (A3ARs) modulate the cholinergic-baroreflex interaction in sepsis and whether this interaction is modulated by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and related proinflammatory cytokines. Methods: Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) and rats were instrumented with femoral and intracisternal (i.c.) catheters. Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) was measured 24 h later in conscious animals using the vasoactive method, which correlates changes in blood pressure caused by i.v. phenylephrine (PE) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) to concomitant reciprocal changes in heart rate. Results: The reduction in reflex bradycardic (BRS-PE), but not tachycardic (BRS-SNP), responses elicited by CLP was reversed by i.v. nicotine in a dose-related manner. The BRS-PE effect of nicotine was blunted following intracisternal administration of IB-MECA (A3AR agonist, 4 µg/rat). The depressant action of IB-MECA on the BRS facilitatory action of nicotine was abrogated following central inhibition of MAPK-JNK (SP 600125), PI3K (wortmannin), and TNFα (infliximab), but not MAPK-ERK (PD 98059). Additionally, the nicotine suppression of sepsis-induced upregulation of NFκB and NOX2 expression in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) was negated by A3AR activation. The molecular effect of IB-MECA on NFκB expression disappeared in the presence of SP 600125, wortmannin, or infliximab. Conclusions: The central PI3K/MAPK-JNK/TNFα pathway contributes to the restraining action of A3ARs on cholinergic amelioration of sepsis-induced central neuroinflammatory responses and impairment of the baroreceptor-mediated negative chronotropism.

Sex-dependent expression of brain medullary MAP and PI3 kinases in adult sheep with antenatal betamethasone exposure

Antenatal betamethasone (BM) therapy for women in jeopardy of premature delivery accelerates the lung development in preterm infants and reduces infant mortality rates, but may induce early programming events with chronic cardiovascular consequences. In a sheep model of fetal programming, in utero BM-exposed (BMX) offspring as adults exhibit elevated mean arterial pressure (MAP), decreased baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) for the control of heart rate and insulin resistance accompanied by dysregulation of the brain renin-angiotensin (Ang) system (RAS). However, the status of signaling mechanisms in the brain dorsomedial medulla (DMM) of the BMX sheep that comprise both the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) cellular pathways is unknown. Given the importance of these signaling pathways in the actions of Ang peptides as well as baroreflex function and autonomic integration, we applied both a kinase signaling array and associated individual immunoblots of the dorsomedial brain medulla from adult female and male sheep with antenatal BMX. MAPK and PI3K pathways were altered significantly in the BMX sheep in a sex-dependent manner. A protein array for kinases (PathScan® Intracellular Signaling Array Kit, Cell Signaling) and subsequent verification by immunoblot revealed that within the DMM, female BMX sheep exhibit lower expression of proteins in the PI3K pathway, while male BMX sheep show greater expression of p-MAPK pathway proteins extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2. We conclude that maladaptive changes in these two kinase pathways in the DMM may contribute to the chronic dysregulation of blood pressure in this model of fetal programming.

Brain stem NOS and ROS in neural mechanisms of hypertension

SIGNIFICANCE

There is now compelling evidence to substantiate the notion that by depressing baroreflex regulation of blood pressure and augmenting central sympathetic outflow through their actions on the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), brain stem nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important contributing factors to neural mechanisms of hypertension. This review summarizes our contemporary views on the impact of NOS and ROS in the NTS and RVLM on neurogenic hypertension, and presents potential antihypertensive strategies that target brain stem NOS/ROS signaling.

RECENT ADVANCES

NO signaling in the brain stem may be pro- or antihypertensive depending on the NOS isoform that generates this gaseous moiety and the site of action. Elevation of the ROS level when its production overbalances its degradation in the NTS and RVLM underlies neurogenic hypertension. Interventional strategies with emphases on alleviating the adverse actions of these molecules on blood pressure regulation have been investigated.

CRITICAL ISSUES

The pathological roles of NOS in the RVLM and NTS in neural mechanisms of hypertension are highly complex. Likewise, multiple signaling pathways underlie the deleterious roles of brain-stem ROS in neurogenic hypertension. There are recent indications that interactions between brain stem ROS and NOS may play a contributory role.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Given the complicity of action mechanisms of brain-stem NOS and ROS in neural mechanisms of hypertension, additional studies are needed to identify the most crucial therapeutic target that is applicable not only in animal models but also in patients suffering from neurogenic hypertension.

The brain Renin-Angiotensin system and mitochondrial function: influence on blood pressure and baroreflex in transgenic rat strains

Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in many cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, and may be associated with an overactive renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Angiotensin (Ang) II, a potent vasoconstrictor hormone of the RAS, also impairs baroreflex and mitochondrial function. Most deleterious cardiovascular actions of Ang II are thought to be mediated by NADPH-oxidase- (NOX-) derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may also stimulate mitochondrial oxidant release and alter redox-sensitive signaling pathways in the brain. Within the RAS, the actions of Ang II are counterbalanced by Ang-(1–7), a vasodilatory peptide known to mitigate against increased oxidant stress. A balance between Ang II and Ang-(1–7) within the brain dorsal medulla contributes to maintenance of normal blood pressure and proper functioning of the arterial baroreceptor reflex for control of heart rate. We propose that Ang-(1–7) may negatively regulate the redox signaling pathways activated by Ang II to maintain normal blood pressure, baroreflex, and mitochondrial function through attenuating ROS (NOX-generated and/or mitochondrial).

In vivo expression of angiotensin-(1-7) lowers blood pressure and improves baroreflex function in transgenic (mRen2)27 rats

Transgenic (mRen2)27 rats are hypertensive with impaired baroreflex sensitivity for control of heart rate compared with Hannover Sprague-Dawley rats. We assessed blood pressure and baroreflex function in male hemizygous (mRen2)27 rats (30-40 weeks of age) instrumented for arterial pressure recordings and receiving into the cisterna magna either an Ang-(1-7) fusion protein or a control fusion protein (CTL-FP). The maximum reduction in mean arterial pressure achieved was -38 ± 7 mm Hg on day 3, accompanied by a 55% enhancement in baroreflex sensitivity in Ang-(1-7) fusion protein-treated rats. Both the high-frequency alpha index (HF-α) and heart rate variability increased, suggesting increased parasympathetic tone for cardiac control. The mRNA levels of several components of the renin-angiotensin system in the dorsal medulla were markedly reduced including renin (-80%), neprilysin (-40%), and the AT1a receptor (-40%). However, there was a 2-fold to 3-fold increase in the mRNA levels of the phosphatases PTP-1b and dual-specificity phosphatase 1 in the medulla of Ang-(1-7) fusion protein-treated rats. Our finding that replacement of Ang-(1-7) in the brain of (mRen2)27 rats reverses in part the hypertension and baroreflex impairment is consistent with a functional deficit of Ang-(1-7) in this hypertensive strain. We conclude that the increased mRNA expression of phosphatases known to counteract the phosphoinositol 3 kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinases, and the reduction of renin and AT1a receptor mRNA levels may contribute to the reduction in arterial pressure and improvement in baroreflex sensitivity in response to Ang-(1-7).

Brain renin-angiotensin system in the nexus of hypertension and aging

Aging is associated with an imbalance in sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow to cardiovascular effector organs. This autonomic imbalance contributes to the decline in cardiovagal baroreceptor reflex function during aging, which allows for unrestrained activation of the sympathetic nervous system to negatively impact resting systolic blood pressure and its variability. Further, impaired baroreflex function can contribute to the development of insulin resistance and other features of the metabolic syndrome during aging through overlap in autonomic neural pathways that regulate both cardiovascular and metabolic functions. Increasing evidence supports a widespread influence of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on both sympathetic and parasympathetic activity through receptors distributed to peripheral and central sites of action. Indeed, therapeutic interventions to block the RAS are well established for the treatment of hypertension in elderly patients, and reduce the incidence of new-onset diabetes in clinical trials. Further, RAS blockade increases lifespan and improves numerous age-related pathologies in rodents, often independent of blood pressure. The beneficial effects of these interventions are at least in part attributed to suppression of angiotensin II formed locally within the brain. In particular, recent insights from transgenic rodents provide evidence that long-term alteration in the brain RAS modulates the balance between angiotensin II and angiotensin-(1-7), and related intracellular signaling pathways, to influence cardiovascular and metabolic function in the context of hypertension and aging.

Central angiotensin-(1-7) improves vagal function independent of blood pressure in hypertensive (mRen2)27 rats

Hypertensive transgenic (mRen2)27 rats with overexpression of the mRen2 gene have impaired baroreflex sensitivity for heart rate control and high nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase and kinase-to-phosphatase signaling activity in medullary tissue compared with normotensive Hannover Sprague-Dawley control rats. They also exhibit insulin resistance at a young age. To determine whether blocking angiotensin II actions, supplementing angiotensin-(1-7), or scavenging reactive oxygen species in brain differentially alters mean arterial pressure, baroreflex sensitivity, or metabolic function, while altering medullary signaling pathways in these animals, we compared intracerebroventricular infusions of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist candesartan (4 μg/5 μL/h), angiotensin-(1-7) (0.1 μg/5 μL/h), a reactive oxygen species scavenger tempol (25 μg/5 μL/h), or artificial cerebrospinal fluid (5 μL/h) for 2 weeks. Mean arterial pressure was reduced in candesartan-treated rats without significantly improving the vagal components of baroreflex function or heart rate variability. In contrast, angiotensin-(1-7) treatment significantly improved the vagal components of baroreflex function and heart rate variability at a dose that did not significantly lower mean arterial pressure. Tempol significantly reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity in brain dorsal medullary tissue but had no effect on mean arterial pressure or autonomic function. Candesartan tended to reduce fat mass, but none of the treatments significantly altered indices of metabolic function or mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in dorsal medulla. Although additional dose response studies are necessary to determine the potential maximal effectiveness of each treatment, the current findings demonstrate that blood pressure and baroreflex function can be essentially normalized independently of medullary nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase or mitogen-activated protein kinase in hypertensive (mRen2)27 rats.

Protein phosphatase 1b in the solitary tract nucleus is necessary for normal baroreflex function

Despite positive metabolic effects, genetic deletion of protein phosphatase 1b (PTP1b) results in sympathetically mediated elevations in arterial pressure (AP) in mice. Because several PTP1b-regulated peptides also impair the baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) for control of heart rate (HR), we hypothesized that PTP1b in the solitary tract nucleus (NTS) participates in the maintenance of resting baroreflex function. To test this hypothesis, we performed acute bilateral microinjection of an allosteric PTP1b inhibitor (100 nM/120 nL) in the NTS of urethane/chloralose anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats and assessed the BRS, responses to cardiac vagal chemosensitive fiber activation, and resting AP and HR before and after the injection. PTP1b inhibition impaired the BRS for bradycardia (n = 6; 0.93 ± 0.14 baseline vs. 0.48 ± 0.04 at 10 minutes vs. 0.49 ± 0.04 millisecond/mm Hg at 60 minutes; P < 0.01), with no significant effect on the BRS for tachycardia (0.30 ± 0.16 baseline vs. 0.24 ± 0.08 at 10 minutes vs. 0.24 ± 0.12 millisecond/mm Hg at 60 minutes). The reduced BRS for bradycardia was associated with a significant decrease in alpha-adrenergic responsiveness to phenylephrine at 60 minutes after PTP1b inhibition. Injection of the PTP1b inhibitor in the NTS elicited transient decreases in AP and HR in these animals. However, there was no effect of the inhibitor on depressor or bradycardic responses elicited by activation of cardiac vagal chemosensitive fibers, which converge with baroreceptor afferents in the NTS. These results suggest that PTP1b within the NTS may be a novel molecular mechanism for preservation of resting baroreflex function and provides further evidence for deleterious cardiovascular effects associated with PTP1b inhibition.

The brain renin-angiotensin system and cardiovascular responses to stress: insights from transgenic rats with low brain angiotensinogen

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been identified as an attractive target for the treatment of stress-induced cardiovascular disorders. The effects of angiotensin (ANG) peptides during stress responses likely result from an integration of actions by circulating peptides and brain peptides derived from neuronal and glial sources. The present review focuses on the contribution of endogenous brain ANG peptides to pathways involved in cardiovascular responses to stressors. During a variety of forms of stress, neuronal pathways in forebrain areas containing ANG II or ANG-(1-7) are activated to stimulate descending angiotensinergic pathways that increase sympathetic outflow to increase blood pressure. We provide evidence that glia-derived ANG peptides influence brain AT(1) receptors. This appears to result in modulation of the responsiveness of the neuronal pathways activated during stressors that elevate circulating ANG peptides to activate brain pathways involving descending hypothalamic projections. It is well established that increased cardiovascular reactivity to stress is a significant predictor of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. This review highlights the importance of understanding the impact of RAS components from the circulation, neurons, and glia on the integration of cardiovascular responses to stressors.

Differences in oxidative stress status and expression of MKP-1 in dorsal medulla of transgenic rats with altered brain renin-angiotensin system

ANG II-stimulated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through NADPH oxidase is suggested to activate MAPK pathways, which are implicated in neurally mediated pressor effects of ANG II. Emerging evidence suggests that ANG-(1-7) up regulates MAPK phosphatases to reduce MAPK signaling and attenuate actions of ANG II. Whether angiotensin peptides participate in long-term regulation of these systems in the brain is not known. Therefore, we determined tissue and mitochondrial ROS, as well as expression and activity of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) in brain dorsal medullary tissue of hypertensive transgenic (mRen2)27 rats exhibiting higher ANG II/ANG-(1-7) tone or hypotensive transgenic rats with targeted decreased glial expression of angiotensinogen, ASrAOGEN (AS) exhibiting lower ANG II/ANG-(1-7) tone compared with normotensive Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats that serve as the control strain. Transgenic (mRen2)27 rats showed higher medullary tissue NADPH oxidase activity and dihydroethidium fluorescence in isolated mitochondria vs. SD or AS rats. Mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 was lower in AS and unchanged in (mRen2)27 compared with SD rats. MKP-1 mRNA and protein expression were higher in AS and unchanged in (mRen2)27 compared with SD rats. AS rats also had lower phosphorylated ERK1/2 and JNK consistent with higher MKP-1 activity. Thus, an altered brain renin-angiotensin system influences oxidative stress status and regulates MKP-1 expression. However, there is a dissociation between these effects and the hemodynamic profiles. Higher ROS was associated with hypertension in (mRen2)27 and normal MKP-1, whereas the higher MKP-1 was associated with hypotension in AS, where ROS was normal relative to SD rats.

Nitric oxide-dependent bradycardia in mutant analbuminemic rats

Nagase analbuminemic rats (NAR) are natural mutant Sprague-Dawley rats which do not express albumin due to a single splice mutation in the albumin gene. We accidentally discovered that NAR have a significant bradycardia compared with wild type Sprague-Dawley rats, and the present study was carried out to investigate the mechanism of bradycardia in analbuminemic rats. In vitro studies showed that the basal spontaneous beating rate of isolated atria is similar in NAR compared with wild type animals. However, the chronotropic responsiveness of isolated atria to cholinergic stimulation was markedly increased in NAR, an effect which was prevented by incubation with a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) or guanylyl cyclase inhibitor. NAR had a significant increase in plasma nitrite/nitrate concentrations. Administration of a NOS inhibitor for 5 days normalized heart rate in NAR. The level of NOS isoforms, caveolin-1 and caveolin-3 expression in the atria was assessed by real time PCR. There was no significant difference in the expression of NOS isoforms or caveolin-3 in NAR compared with wild type controls. However, NAR exhibited a significant decrease in caveolin-1 expression in the atria. Since caveolin-1 is known to inhibit endothelial NOS activity in cardiomyocytes, we suggest that decreased caveolin-1 levels may have a role in increased nitric oxide production in NAR. Our data suggest that a NOS/cGMP-dependent mechanism might be involved in increased responsiveness to vagal stimulation and bradycardia in analbuminemic condition.