Na+/Ca2+ exchanger overexpression in smooth muscle augments cytosolic Ca2+ in femoral arteries of living mice

Pathophysiology and pathogenic mechanisms of pulmonary hypertension: role of membrane receptors, ion channels, and Ca2+ signaling

The pulmonary circulation is a low-resistance, low-pressure, and high-compliance system that allows the lungs to receive the entire cardiac output. Pulmonary arterial pressure is a function of cardiac output and pulmonary vascular resistance, and pulmonary vascular resistance is inversely proportional to the fourth power of the intraluminal radius of the pulmonary artery. Therefore, a very small decrease of the pulmonary vascular lumen diameter results in a significant increase in pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary arterial pressure. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a fatal and progressive disease with poor prognosis. Regardless of the initial pathogenic triggers, sustained pulmonary vasoconstriction, concentric vascular remodeling, occlusive intimal lesions, in situ thrombosis, and vascular wall stiffening are the major and direct causes for elevated pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and other forms of precapillary pulmonary hypertension. In this review, we aim to discuss the basic principles and physiological mechanisms involved in the regulation of lung vascular hemodynamics and pulmonary vascular function, the changes in the pulmonary vasculature that contribute to the increased vascular resistance and arterial pressure, and the pathogenic mechanisms involved in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension. We focus on reviewing the pathogenic roles of membrane receptors, ion channels, and intracellular Ca2+ signaling in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension.

Mathematical modeling and biochemical analysis support partially ordered calmodulin-myosin light chain kinase binding

Activation of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) by calcium ions (Ca2+) and calmodulin (CaM) plays an important role in numerous cellular functions including vascular smooth muscle contraction and cellular motility. Despite extensive biochemical analysis, aspects of the mechanism of activation remain controversial, and competing theoretical models have been proposed for the binding of Ca2+ and CaM to MLCK. The models are analytically solvable for an equilibrium steady state and give rise to distinct predictions that hold regardless of the numerical values assigned to parameters. These predictions form the basis of a recently proposed, multi-part experimental strategy for model discrimination. Here we implement this strategy by measuring CaM-MLCK binding using an in vitro FRET system. Interpretation of binding data in light of the mathematical models suggests a partially ordered mechanism for binding CaM to MLCK. Complementary data collected using orthogonal approaches that assess CaM-MLCK binding further support this conclusion.

Cell-To-Cell Communication in the Resistance Vasculature

The arterial vasculature can be divided into large conduit arteries, intermediate contractile arteries, resistance arteries, arterioles, and capillaries. Resistance arteries and arterioles primarily function to control systemic blood pressure. The resistance arteries are composed of a layer of endothelial cells oriented parallel to the direction of blood flow, which are separated by a matrix layer termed the internal elastic lamina from several layers of smooth muscle cells oriented perpendicular to the direction of blood flow. Cells within the vessel walls communicate in a homocellular and heterocellular fashion to govern luminal diameter, arterial resistance, and blood pressure. At rest, potassium currents govern the basal state of endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Multiple stimuli can elicit rises in intracellular calcium levels in either endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells, sourced from intracellular stores such as the endoplasmic reticulum or the extracellular space. In general, activation of endothelial cells results in the production of a vasodilatory signal, usually in the form of nitric oxide or endothelial-derived hyperpolarization. Conversely, activation of smooth muscle cells results in a vasoconstriction response through smooth muscle cell contraction. © 2022 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 12: 1-35, 2022.

Pharmacodynamic Mechanism of Kuanxiong Aerosol for Vasodilation and Improvement of Myocardial Ischemia

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of Kuanxiong Aerosol (KXA) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial injury in rat models.

METHODS

Totally 24 rats were radomly divided into control, ISO, KXA low-dose and high-dose groups according to the randomized block design method, and were administered by intragastric administration for 10 consecutive days, and on the 9th and 10th days, rats were injected with ISO for 2 consecutive days to construct an acute myocardial ischemia model to evaluate the improvement of myocardial ischemia by KXA. In addition, the diastolic effect of KXA on rat thoracic aorta and its regulation of ion channels were tested by in vitro vascular tension test. The influence of KXA on the expression of calcium-CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II)/extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling pathway has also been tested.

RESULTS

KXA significantly reduced the ISO-induced increase in ST-segment, interventricular septal thickness, cardiac mass index and cardiac tissue pathological changes in rats. Moreover, the relaxation of isolated thoracic arterial rings that had been precontracted using norepinephrine (NE) or potassium chloride (KCl) was increased after KXA treatment in an endothelium-independent manner, and was attenuated by preincubation with verapamil, but not with tetraethylammonium chloride, 4-aminopyridine, glibenclamide, or barium chloride. KXA pretreatment attenuated vasoconstriction induced by CaCl2 in Ca2+-free solutions containing K+ or NE. In addition, KXA pretreatment inhibited accumulation of Ca2+ in A7r5 cells mediated by KCl and NE and significantly decreased p-CaMK II and p-ERK levels.

CONCLUSION

KXA may inhibit influx and release of calcium and activate the CaMK II/ERK signaling pathway to produce vasodilatory effects, thereby improving myocardial injury.

The Contribution of Gut Microbiota and Endothelial Dysfunction in the Development of Arterial Hypertension in Animal Models and in Humans

The maintenance of the physiological values of blood pressure is closely related to unchangeable factors (genetic predisposition or pathological alterations) but also to modifiable factors (dietary fat and salt, sedentary lifestyle, overweight, inappropriate combinations of drugs, alcohol abuse, smoking and use of psychogenic substances). Hypertension is usually characterized by the presence of a chronic increase in systemic blood pressure above the threshold value and is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction, stroke, micro- and macro-vascular diseases. Hypertension is closely related to functional changes in the endothelium, such as an altered production of vasoconstrictive and vasodilator substances, which lead to an increase in vascular resistance. These alterations make the endothelial tissue unresponsive to autocrine and paracrine stimuli, initially determining an adaptive response, which over time lead to an increase in risk or disease. The gut microbiota is composed of a highly diverse bacterial population of approximately 10¹⁴ bacteria. A balanced intestinal microbiota preserves the digestive and absorbent functions of the intestine, protecting from pathogens and toxic metabolites in the circulation and reducing the onset of various diseases. The gut microbiota has been shown to produce unique metabolites potentially important in the generation of hypertension and endothelial dysfunction. This review highlights the close connection between hypertension, endothelial dysfunction and gut microbiota.

The Calcium Signaling Mechanisms in Arterial Smooth Muscle and Endothelial Cells

The contractile state of resistance arteries and arterioles is a crucial determinant of blood pressure and blood flow. Physiological regulation of arterial contractility requires constant communication between endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Various Ca²⁺ signals and Ca²⁺ -sensitive targets ensure dynamic control of intercellular communications in the vascular wall. The functional effect of a Ca²⁺ signal on arterial contractility depends on the type of Ca²⁺ -sensitive target engaged by that signal. Recent studies using advanced imaging methods have identified the spatiotemporal signatures of individual Ca²⁺ signals that control arterial and arteriolar contractility. Broadly speaking, intracellular Ca²⁺ is increased by ion channels and transporters on the plasma membrane and endoplasmic reticular membrane. Physiological roles for many vascular Ca²⁺ signals have already been confirmed, while further investigation is needed for other Ca²⁺ signals. This article focuses on endothelial and smooth muscle Ca²⁺ signaling mechanisms in resistance arteries and arterioles. We discuss the Ca²⁺ entry pathways at the plasma membrane, Ca²⁺ release signals from the intracellular stores, the functional and physiological relevance of Ca²⁺ signals, and their regulatory mechanisms. Finally, we describe the contribution of abnormal endothelial and smooth muscle Ca²⁺ signals to the pathogenesis of vascular disorders. © 2021 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 11:1831-1869, 2021.

NO-induced vasodilation correlates directly with BP in smooth muscle-Na/Ca exchanger-1-engineered mice: elevated BP does not attenuate endothelial function

Arterial smooth muscle Na+/Ca2+ exchanger-1 (SM-NCX1) promotes vasoconstriction or vasodilation by mediating, respectively, Ca2+ influx or efflux. In vivo, SM-NCX1 mediates net Ca2+ influx to help maintain myogenic tone (MT) and neuronally activated constriction. SM-NCX1-TG (overexpressing transgenic) mice have increased MT and mean blood pressure (MBP; +13.5 mmHg); SM-NCX1-KO (knockout) mice have reduced MT and MBP (-11.1 mmHg). Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (EDV) is often impaired in hypertension. We tested whether genetically engineered SM-NCX1 expression and consequent BP changes similarly alter EDV. Isolated, pressurized mesenteric resistance arteries with MT from SM-NCX1-TG and conditional SM-NCX1-KO mice, and femoral arteries in vivo from TG mice were studied. Acetylcholine (ACh)-dilated TG arteries with MT slightly more than control or KO arteries, implying that SM-NCX1 overexpression does not impair EDV. In preconstricted KO, but not TG mouse arteries, however, ACh- and bradykinin-triggered vasodilation was markedly attenuated. To circumvent the endothelium, phenylephrine-constricted resistance arteries were tested with Na-nitroprusside [SNP; nitric oxide (NO) donor] and cGMP. This endothelium-independent vasodilation was augmented in TG but attenuated in KO arteries that lack NCX1-mediated Ca2+ clearance. Baseline cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt) was elevated in TG femoral arteries in vivo, supporting the high BP; furthermore, SNP-triggered [Ca2+]cyt decline and vasodilation were augmented as NO and cGMP promote myocyte polarization thereby enhancing NCX1-mediated Ca2+ efflux. The TG mouse data indicate that BP elevation does not attenuate endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Thus, in essential hypertension and many models the endothelial impairment that supports the hypertension apparently is not triggered by BP elevation but by extravascular mechanisms.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Endothelium-dependent, ACh-induced vasodilation (EDV) is attenuated, and arterial myocyte Na+/Ca2+ exchangers (NCX1) are upregulated in many forms of hypertension. Surprisingly, mildly hypertensive smooth muscle-specific (SM)-NCX1 transgenic mice exhibited modestly enhanced EDV and augmented endothelium-independent vasodilation (EIV). Conversely, mildly hypotensive SM-NCX1-knockout mice had greatly attenuated EIV. These adaptations help compensate for NCX1 expression-induced alterations in cytosolic Ca2+ and blood pressure (BP) and belie the view that elevated BP, itself, causes the endothelial dysregulation in hypertension.