HSP20 phosphorylation and interstitial metabolites in hypoxia-induced dilation of swine coronary arteries

KV 7 channels are involved in hypoxia-induced vasodilatation of porcine coronary arteries

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hypoxia causes vasodilatation of coronary arteries, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We hypothesized that hypoxia reduces intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) by opening of K channels and release of H₂S.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Porcine coronary arteries without endothelium were mounted for measurement of isometric tension and [Ca(2+)](i), and the expression of voltage-gated K channels K(V)7 channels (encoded by KCNQ genes) and large-conductance calcium-activated K channels (K(Ca)1.1) was examined. Voltage clamp assessed the role of K(V)7 channels in hypoxia.

KEY RESULTS

Gradual reduction of oxygen concentration from 95 to 1% dilated the precontracted coronary arteries and this was associated with reduced [Ca(2+)](i) in PGF(2α) (10 μM)-contracted arteries whereas no fall in [Ca(2+)](i) was observed in 30 mM K-contracted arteries. Blockers of ATP-sensitive voltage-gated potassium channels and K(Ca)1.1 inhibited hypoxia-induced dilatation in PGF2α -contracted arteries; this inhibition was more marked in the presence of the K(v)7 channel blockers, XE991 and linopirdine, while a K(V)7.1 blocker, failed to change hypoxic vasodilatation. XE991 also inhibited H₂S- and adenosine-induced vasodilatation. PCR revealed the expression of K(V)7.1, K(V)7.4, K(V)7.5 and K(Ca)1.1 channels, and K(Ca)1.1, K(V)7.4 and K(V)7.5 were also identified by immunoblotting. Voltage clamp studies showed the XE991-sensitive current was more marked in hypoxic conditions.

CONCLUSION

The K(V)7.4 and K(V)7.5 channels, which we identified in the coronary arteries, appear to have a major role in hypoxia-induced vasodilatation. The voltage clamp results further support the involvement of K(V)7 channels in this vasodilatation. Activation of these K(V)7 channels may be induced by H₂S and adenosine.

Mechanisms involved in increased sensitivity to adenosine A(2A) receptor activation and hypoxia-induced vasodilatation in porcine coronary arteries

Hypoxia-induced coronary vasorelaxation is a compensatory mechanism increasing blood flow. We hypothesized that hypoxia shares pathways with adenosine and causes vasorelaxation through the adenosine A(2A) receptor and force suppression by increasing cAMP and phosphorylated heat shock protein (HSP)20. Adenosine receptors in porcine left anterior descending coronary arteries (LAD) were examined by RT-PCR and isometric tension recording in myographs. Vasorelaxation was induced by adenosine, 1% oxygen, or both in the absence or presence of ZM241385, an adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonist. cAMP was determined by ELISA and p-HSP20/HSP20 and p-MLC/MLC were determined by immunoblotting and densitometric analyses. In coronary arteries exposed to 1% oxygen, there was increased sensitivity to adenosine, the adenosine A2 selective agonist NECA, and the adenosine A(2A) selective receptor agonist CGS21680. ZM241385 shifted concentration-response curves for CGS21680 to the right, whereas the adenosine A1 antagonist DPCPX, the adenosine A2B receptor antagonist MRS1754 and the adenosine A3 receptor antagonist MRS1523 failed to reduce vasodilatation induced by CGS21680. 1% oxygen or adenosine increased cAMP accumulation and HSP20 phosphorylation without changing T850-MYPT1 and MLC phosphorylation. ZM241385 failed to change 1% oxygen-induced vasodilation, cAMP accumulation, HSP20 phosphorylation and MLC phosphorylation. The PKA inhibitor Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS significantly reduced vasorelaxation induced by 1% oxygen or CGS21680. Our findings suggest that the increased sensitivity to adenosine, NECA, and CGS21680 at 1% oxygen involves adenosine A(2A) receptors. Adenosine and 1% oxygen induce vasorelaxation in PGF2α-contracted porcine coronary arteries partly by force suppression caused by increased cAMP and phosphorylation of HSP20.

Large potentials of small heat shock proteins

Modern classification of the family of human small heat shock proteins (the so-called HSPB) is presented, and the structure and properties of three members of this family are analyzed in detail. Ubiquitously expressed HSPB1 (HSP27) is involved in the control of protein folding and, when mutated, plays a significant role in the development of certain neurodegenerative disorders. HSPB1 directly or indirectly participates in the regulation of apoptosis, protects the cell against oxidative stress, and is involved in the regulation of the cytoskeleton. HSPB6 (HSP20) also possesses chaperone-like activity, is involved in regulation of smooth muscle contraction, has pronounced cardioprotective activity, and seems to participate in insulin-dependent regulation of muscle metabolism. HSPB8 (HSP22) prevents accumulation of aggregated proteins in the cell and participates in the regulation of proteolysis of unfolded proteins. HSPB8 also seems to be directly or indirectly involved in regulation of apoptosis and carcinogenesis, contributes to cardiac cell hypertrophy and survival and, when mutated, might be involved in development of neurodegenerative diseases. All small heat shock proteins play important "housekeeping" roles and regulate many vital processes; therefore, they are considered as attractive therapeutic targets.

Increase in periosteal angiogenesis through heat shock conditioning

Objective

It is widely known that stress conditioning can protect microcirculation and induce the release of vasoactive factors for a period of several hours. Little, however, is known about the long-term effects of stress conditioning on microcirculation, especially on the microcirculation of the periosteum of the calvaria. For this reason, we used intravital fluorescence microscopy to investigate the effects of heat shock priming on the microcirculation of the periosteum over a period of several days.

Methods

Fifty-two Lewis rats were randomized into eight groups. Six groups underwent heat shock priming of the periosteum of the calvaria at 42.5°C, two of them (n = 8) for 15 minutes, two (n = 8) for 25 minutes and two (n = 8) for 35 minutes. After 24 hours, a periosteal chamber was implanted into the heads of the animals of one of each of the two groups mentioned above. Microcirculation and inflammatory responses were studied repeatedly over a period of 14 days using intravital fluorescence microscopy. The expression of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 was examined by immunohistochemistry in three further groups 24 hours after a 15-minute (n = 5), a 25-minute (n = 5) or a 35-minute (n = 5) heat shock treatment. Two groups that did not undergo priming were used as controls. One control group (n = 8) was investigated by intravital microscopy and the other (n = 5) by immunohistochemistry.

Results

During the entire observation period of 14 days, the periosteal chambers revealed physiological microcirculation of the periosteum of the calvaria without perfusion failures. A significant (p < 0.05) and continuous increase in functional capillary density was noted from day 5 to day 14 after 25-minute heat shock priming. Whereas a 15-minute exposure did not lead to an increase in functional capillary density, 35-minute priming caused a significant but reversible perfusion failure in capillaries. Non-perfused capillaries in the 35-minute treatment group were reperfused by day 10. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated an increase in cytoprotective HSP70 expression in the periosteum after a 15-minute and a 35-minute heat shock pretreatment when compared with the control group. The level of HSP70 expression that was measured in the periosteum after 25 minutes of treatment was significantly higher than the levels observed after 15 or 35 minutes of heat shock exposure.

Conclusion

A few days after heat shock priming over an appropriate period of time, a continuous increase in functional capillary density is seen in the periosteum of the calvaria. This increase in perfusion appears to be the result of the induction of angiogenesis.

Phosphorylated HSP20 modulates the association of thin-filament binding proteins: caldesmon with tropomyosin in colonic smooth muscle

Small heat shock proteins HSP27 and HSP20 have been implicated in regulation of contraction and relaxation in smooth muscle. Activation of PKC-α promotes contraction by phosphorylation of HSP27 whereas activation of PKA promotes relaxation by phosphorylation of HSP20 in colonic smooth muscle cells (CSMC). We propose that the balance between the phosphorylation states of HSP27 and HSP20 represents a molecular signaling switch for contraction and relaxation. This molecular signaling switch acts downstream on a molecular mechanical switch [tropomyosin (TM)] regulating thin-filament dynamics. We have examined the role of phosphorylation state(s) of HSP20 on HSP27-mediated thin-filament regulation in CSMC. CSMC were transfected with different HSP20 phosphomutants. These transfections had no effect on the integrity of actin cytoskeleton. Cells transfected with 16D-HSP20 (phosphomimic) exhibited inhibition of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced contraction whereas cells transfected with 16A-HSP20 (nonphosphorylatable) had no effect on ACh-induced contraction. CSMC transfected with 16D-HSP20 cDNA showed significant decreases in 1) phosphorylation of HSP27 (ser78); 2) phosphorylation of PKC-α (ser657); 3) phosphorylation of TM and CaD (ser789); 4) ACh-induced phosphorylation of myosin light chain; 5) ACh-induced association of TM with HSP27; and 6) ACh-induced dissociation of TM from caldesmon (CaD). We thus propose the crucial physiological relevance of molecular signaling switch (phosphorylation state of HSP27 and HSP20), which dictates 1) the phosphorylation states of TM and CaD and 2) their dissociations from each other.

The small heat shock protein, HSPB6, in muscle function and disease

The small heat shock protein, HSPB6, is a 17-kDa protein that belongs to the small heat shock protein family. HSPB6 was identified in the mid-1990s when it was recognized as a by-product of the purification of HSPB1 and HSPB5. HSPB6 is highly and constitutively expressed in smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscle and plays a role in muscle function. This review will focus on the physiologic and biochemical properties of HSPB6 in smooth, cardiac, and skeletal muscle; the putative mechanisms of action; and therapeutic implications.

Metabolic coronary flow regulation--current concepts

The concept of metabolic coronary flow control provides a rationale for the close relationship of coronary flow and myocardial metabolic rate of oxygen. The concept is based on the presence of an oxygen (metabolic) sensor coupled functionally to effector mechanisms, which control vascular tone. Four modes of metabolic control models have been proposed. 1) An oxygen sensor located in the wall of coronary vessels coupling to smooth muscle tension. Endothelial prostaglandin production may support this concept. 2) An oxygen sensing mechanism located in the myocardium and changing metabolism in response to changes of local pO(2). Adenosine is a metabolite produced at an accelerated rate when the supply-to-demand relationship for oxygen falls. 3) Sensing of oxygen turnover may be achieved by carbon dioxide production and, potentially, by mitochondrial production of reactive oxygen species. 4) The red blood cell might serve as an oxygen sensor in response to changes of haemoglobin oxygenation. A potential link to vessel relaxation may be red cell ATP release. A large body of experimental evidence supports the notion that K(ATP) channels play a significant role causing smooth muscle hyper-polarization. However, additional yet unknown effector mechanisms must exist, because block of K(ATP) channels does not lead to deterioration of coronary flow control under conditions of exercise. Thus, although several lines of evidence show that metabolic flow regulation is effective during hypoxic conditions,mechanisms mediating normoxic metabolic flow control still await further clarification.

Adenosine concentration in the porcine coronary artery wall and A2A receptor involvement in hypoxia-induced vasodilatation

We tested whether hypoxia-induced coronary artery dilatation could be mediated by an increase in adenosine concentration within the coronary artery wall or by an increase in adenosine sensitivity. Porcine left anterior descendent coronary arteries, precontracted with prostaglandin F(2alpha) (10(-5) M), were mounted in a pressure myograph and microdialysis catheters were inserted into the tunica media. Dialysate adenosine concentrations were analysed by HPLC. Glucose, lactate and pyruvate were measured by an automated spectrophotometric kinetic enzymatic analyser. The exchange fraction of [(14)C]adenosine over the microdialysis membrane increased from 0.32 +/- 0.02 to 0.46 +/- 0.02 (n = 4, P < 0.01) during the study period. At baseline, interstitial adenosine was in the region of 10 nM which is significantly less than previously found myocardial concentrations. Hypoxia (P(O(2)) 30 mmHg for 60 min, n = 5) increased coronary diameters by 20.0 +/- 2.6% (versus continuous oxygenation -3.1 +/- 2.4%, n = 6, P < 0.001) but interstitial adenosine concentration fell. Blockade of adenosine deaminase (with erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl-)-adenine, 5 microM), adenosine kinase (with iodotubericidine, 10 microM) and adenosine transport (with n-nitrobenzylthioinosine, 1 microM) increased interstitial adenosine but the increase was unrelated to hypoxia or diameter. A coronary dilatation similar to that during hypoxia could be obtained with 30 microM of adenosine in the organ bath and the resulting interstitial adenosine concentrations (n = 5) were 20 times higher than the adenosine concentration measured during hypoxia. Adenosine concentration-response experiments showed vasodilatation to be more pronounced during hypoxia (n = 9) than during normoxia (n = 9, P < 0.001) and the A(2A) receptor antagonist ZM241385 (20 nM, n = 5), attenuated hypoxia-induced vasodilatation while the selective A(2B) receptor antagonist MRS1754 (20 nM, n = 4), had no effect. The lactate/pyruvate ratio was significantly increased in hypoxic arteries but did not correlate with adenosine concentration. We conclude that hypoxia-induced coronary artery dilatation is not mediated by increased adenosine produced within the artery wall but might be facilitated by increased adenosine sensitivity at the A(2A) receptor level.