Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3) knockout decreases NOS2 induction, limiting hyperoxygenation and conferring protection in the postischemic heart

Impaired Myocardial Mitochondrial Function in an Experimental Model of Anaphylactic Shock

Anaphylactic shock (AS) is associated with a profound vasodilation and cardiac dysfunction. The cellular mechanisms underlying AS-related cardiac dysfunction are unknown. We hypothesized that myocardial mitochondrial dysfunction may be associated with AS cardiac dysfunction. In controls and sensitized Brown Norway rats, shock was induced by ovalbumin i.v bolus, and abdominal aortic blood flow (ABF), systemic mean arterial pressure (MAP), and lactatemia were measured for 15 min. Myocardial mitochondrial function was assessed with the evaluation of mitochondrial respiration, oxidative stress production by reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and the measurement of superoxide dismutases (SODs) activity. Oxidative damage was assessed by lipid peroxidation. The mitochondrial ultrastructure was assessed using transmission electronic microscopy. AS was associated with a dramatic drop in ABF and MAP combined with a severe hyperlactatemia 15 min after shock induction. CI-linked substrate state (197 ± 21 vs. 144 ± 21 pmol/s/mg, p < 0.05), OXPHOS activity by complexes I and II (411 ± 47 vs. 246 ± 33 pmol/s/mg, p < 0.05), and OXPHOS activity through complex II (316 ± 40 vs. 203 ± 28 pmol/s/mg, p < 0.05) were significantly impaired. ROS and RNS production was not significantly increased, but SODs activity was significantly higher in the AS group (11.15 ± 1.02 vs. 15.50 ± 1.40 U/mL/mg protein, p = 0.02). Finally, cardiac lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in the AS group (8.50 ± 0.67 vs. 12.17 ± 1.44 µM/mg protein, p < 0.05). No obvious changes were observed in the mitochondrial ultrastructure between CON and AS groups. Our experimental model of AS results in rapid and deleterious hemodynamic effects and was associated with a myocardial mitochondrial dysfunction with oxidative damage and without mitochondrial ultrastructural injury.

An Injectable Dual-Function Hydrogel Protects Against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Modulating ROS/NO Disequilibrium

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Exogenous delivery of nitric oxide (NO) to the infarcted myocardium has proven to be an effective strategy for treating MI due to the multiple physiological functions of NO. However, reperfusion of blood flow to the ischemic tissues is accompanied by the overproduction of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can further exacerbate tissue damage and compromise the therapeutic efficacy. Here, an injectable hydrogel is synthesized from the chitosan modified by boronate-protected diazeniumdiolate (CS-B-NO) that can release NO in response to ROS stimulation and thereby modulate ROS/NO disequilibrium after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Furthermore, administration of CS-B-NO efficiently attenuated cardiac damage and adverse cardiac remodeling, promoted repair of the heart, and ameliorated cardiac function, unlike a hydrogel that only released NO, in a mouse model of myocardial I/R injury. Mechanistically, regulation of the ROS/NO balance activated the antioxidant defense system and protected against oxidative stress induced by I/R injury via adaptive regulation of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. Inflammation is then reduced by inhibition of the activation of NF-κB signaling. Collectively, these results show that this dual-function hydrogel may be a promising candidate for the protection of tissues and organs after I/R injury.

Protein tyrosine nitration in atherosclerotic endothelial dysfunction

Accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce both protein tyrosine nitration and endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction refers to impaired endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation that can be triggered by an imbalance in nitric oxide (NO) production and consumption. ROS reacts with NO to generate peroxynitrite, decreasing NO bioavailability. Peroxynitrite also promotes protein tyrosine nitration in vivo that can affect protein structure and function and further damage endothelial function. In this review, we discuss the process of protein tyrosine nitration, increased expression of nitrated proteins in cardiovascular disease and their association with endothelial dysfunction, and the interference of tyrosine nitration with antioxidants and the protective role in endothelial dysfunction. These may lead us to the conception that protein tyrosine nitration may be one of the causes of endothelial dysfunction, and help us gain information about the mechanism of endothelial dysfunction underlying atherosclerosis.

Reperfusion mediates heme impairment with increased protein cysteine sulfonation of mitochondrial complex III in the post-ischemic heart

A serious consequence of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) is oxidative damage, which causes mitochondrial dysfunction. The cascading ROS can propagate and potentially induce heme bleaching and protein cysteine sulfonation (PrSO3H) of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. Herein we studied the mechanism of I/R-mediated irreversible oxidative injury of complex III in mitochondria from rat hearts subjected to 30-min of ischemia and 24-h of reperfusion in vivo. In the I/R region, the catalytic activity of complex III was significantly impaired. Spectroscopic analysis indicated that I/R mediated the destruction of hemes b and c + c1 in the mitochondria, supporting I/R-mediated complex III impairment. However, no significant impairment of complex III activity and heme damage were observed in mitochondria from the risk region of rat hearts subjected only to 30-min ischemia, despite a decreased state 3 respiration. In the I/R mitochondria, carbamidomethylated C122/C125 of cytochrome c1 via alkylating complex III with a down regulation of HCCS was exclusively detected, supporting I/R-mediated thioether defect of heme c1. LC-MS/MS analysis showed that I/R mitochondria had intensely increased complex III PrSO3H levels at the C236 ligand of the [2Fe2S] cluster of the Rieske iron‑sulfur protein (uqcrfs1), thus impairing the electron transport activity. MS analysis also indicated increased PrSO3H of the hinge protein at C65 and of cytochrome c1 at C140 and C220, which are confined in the intermembrane space. MS analysis also showed that I/R extensively enhanced the PrSO3H of the core 1 (uqcrc1) and core 2 (uqcrc2) subunits in the matrix compartment, thus supporting the conclusion that complex III releases ROS to both sides of the inner membrane during reperfusion. Analysis of ischemic mitochondria indicated a modest reduction from the basal level of complex III PrSO3H detected in the mitochondria of sham control hearts, suggesting that the physiologic hyperoxygenation and ROS overproduction during reperfusion mediated the enhancement of complex III PrSO3H. In conclusion, reperfusion-mediated heme damage with increased PrSO3H controls oxidative injury to complex III and aggravates mitochondrial dysfunction in the post-ischemic heart.

Role of Oxidative Stress in Reperfusion following Myocardial Ischemia and Its Treatments

Myocardial ischemia is a disease with high morbidity and mortality, for which reperfusion is currently the standard intervention. However, the reperfusion may lead to further myocardial damage, known as myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI). Oxidative stress is one of the most important pathological mechanisms in reperfusion injury, which causes apoptosis, autophagy, inflammation, and some other damage in cardiomyocytes through multiple pathways, thus causing irreversible cardiomyocyte damage and cardiac dysfunction. This article reviews the pathological mechanisms of oxidative stress involved in reperfusion injury and the interventions for different pathways and targets, so as to form systematic treatments for oxidative stress-induced myocardial reperfusion injury and make up for the lack of monotherapy.

Mitochondrial complex I in the post-ischemic heart: reperfusion-mediated oxidative injury and protein cysteine sulfonation

A serious consequence of ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) is oxidative damage leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. Such I/R-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is observed as impaired state 3 respiration and overproduction of O₂^-. The cascading ROS can propagate cysteine oxidation on mitochondrial complex I and add insult to injury. Herein we employed LC-MS/MS to identify protein sulfonation of complex I in mitochondria from the infarct region of rat hearts subjected to 30-min of coronary ligation and 24-h of reperfusion in vivo as well as the mitochondria of sham controls. Mitochondrial preparations from the I/R regions had enhanced sulfonation levels on the cysteine ligands of iron‑sulfur clusters, including N3 (C₄₂₅), N1b (C₉₂), N4 (C₂₂₆), N2 (C₁₅₈/C₁₈₈), and N1a (C₁₃₄/C₁₃₉). The 4Fe-4S centers of N3, N1b, N4, and N2 are key redox-active components of complex I, thus sulfonation of metal-binding sites impaired the main electron transfer pathway. The binuclear N1a has a very low redox potential and an antioxidative function. Increased C₁₃₄/C₁₃₉ sulfonation by I/R impaired the N1a cluster, potentially contributing to overall O₂^- generation by the FMN moiety of complex I. MS analysis also revealed I/R-mediated increased sulfonation at the core subunits of 51 kDa (C₁₂₅, C₁₈₇, C₂₀₆, C₂₃₈, C₂₅₅, C₂₈₆), 75 kDa (C₃₆₇, C₅₅₄, C₅₆₄, C₇₂₇), 49 kDa (C₁₄₆, C₃₂₆, C₃₄₇), and PSST (C₁₈₈). These results were consistent with the consensus indicating that 51 kDa and 75 kDa are two of major subunits hosting regulatory thiols, and their enhanced sulfonation by I/R predisposed the myocardium to further oxidant stress with impaired ubiquinone reduction. MS analysis further showed I/R-mediated enhanced sulfonation at the supernumerary subunits of 42 kDa (C₆₇, C₁₁₂, C₁₈₃, C₂₅₃), 15 kDa (C₄₃), and 13 kDa (C₇₉). The 42 kDa protein is metazoan-specific, which was reported to stabilize mammalian complex I. C₄₃ of the 15 kDa subunit forms an intramolecular disulfide bond with C₅₆, which was reported to stabilize complex I structure. C₇₉ of the 13 kDa subunit is involved in Zn²⁺-binding, which was reported functionally important for complex I assembly. C₇₉ sulfonation by I/R was found to impair Zn²⁺-binding. No significant enhancement of protein sulfonation was observed in mitochondrial complex I from the rat heart subjected to 30-min ischemia alone in vivo despite a decreased state 3 respiration, suggesting that the physiologic conditions of hyperoxygenation during reperfusion mediated an increase in complex I sulfonation and oxidative injury. In conclusion, sulfonation of specific cysteines of complex I mediates I/R-induced mitochondrial dysfunction via impaired ETC activity, increasing ^•O₂^- production, and mediating redox dysfunction of complex I.

Cardioprotection by intermittent hypoxia conditioning: evidence, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential

The calibrated application of limited-duration, cyclic, moderately intense hypoxia-reoxygenation increases cardiac resistance to ischemia-reperfusion stress. These intermittent hypoxic conditioning (IHC) programs consistently produce striking reductions in myocardial infarction and ventricular tachyarrhythmias after coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion and, in many cases, improve contractile function and coronary blood flow. These IHC protocols are fundamentally different from those used to simulate sleep apnea, a recognized cardiovascular risk factor. In clinical studies, IHC improved exercise capacity and decreased arrhythmias in patients with coronary artery or pulmonary disease and produced robust, persistent, antihypertensive effects in patients with essential hypertension. The protection afforded by IHC develops gradually and depends on β-adrenergic, δ-opioidergic, and reactive oxygen-nitrogen signaling pathways that use protein kinases and adaptive transcription factors. In summary, adaptation to intermittent hypoxia offers a practical, largely unrecognized means of protecting myocardium from impending ischemia. The myocardial and perhaps broader systemic protection provided by IHC clearly merits further evaluation as a discrete intervention and as a potential complement to conventional pharmaceutical and surgical interventions.

Impairment of pH gradient and membrane potential mediates redox dysfunction in the mitochondria of the post-ischemic heart

The mitochondrial electrochemical gradient (Δp), which comprises the pH gradient (ΔpH) and the membrane potential (ΔΨ), is crucial in controlling energy transduction. During myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (IR), mitochondrial dysfunction mediates superoxide (·O2-) and H2O2 overproduction leading to oxidative injury. However, the role of ΔpH and ΔΨ in post-ischemic injury is not fully established. Here we studied mitochondria from the risk region of rat hearts subjected to 30 min of coronary ligation and 24 h of reperfusion in vivo. In the presence of glutamate, malate and ADP, normal mitochondria (mitochondria of non-ischemic region, NR) exhibited a heightened state 3 oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and reduced ·O2- and H2O2 production when compared to state 2 conditions. Oligomycin (increases ΔpH by inhibiting ATP synthase) increased ·O2- and H2O2 production in normal mitochondria, but not significantly in the mitochondria of the risk region (IR mitochondria or post-ischemic mitochondria), indicating that normal mitochondrial ·O2- and H2O2 generation is dependent on ΔpH and that IR impaired the ΔpH of normal mitochondria. Conversely, nigericin (dissipates ΔpH) dramatically reduced ·O2- and H2O2 generation by normal mitochondria under state 4 conditions, and this nigericin quenching effect was less pronounced in IR mitochondria. Nigericin also increased mitochondrial OCR, and predisposed normal mitochondria to a more oxidized redox status assessed by increased oxidation of cyclic hydroxylamine, CM-H. IR mitochondria, although more oxidized than normal mitochondria, were not responsive to nigericin-induced CM-H oxidation, which is consistent with the result that IR induced ΔpH impairment in normal mitochondria. Valinomycin, a K+ ionophore used to dissipate ΔΨ, drastically diminished ·O2- and H2O2 generation by normal mitochondria, but less pronounced effect on IR mitochondria under state 4 conditions, indicating that ΔΨ also contributed to ·O2- generation by normal mitochondria and that IR mediated ΔΨ impairment. However, there was no significant difference in valinomycin-induced CM-H oxidation between normal and IR mitochondria. In conclusion, under normal conditions the proton backpressure imposed by ΔpH restricts electron flow, controls a limited amount of ·O2- generation, and results in a more reduced myocardium; however, IR causes ΔpH impairment and prompts a more oxidized myocardium.

Cavin-1 deficiency modifies myocardial and coronary function, stretch responses and ischaemic tolerance: roles of NOS over-activity

Caveolae and associated cavin and caveolins may govern myocardial function, together with responses to mechanical and ischaemic stresses. Abnormalities in these proteins are also implicated in different cardiovascular disorders. However, specific roles of the cavin-1 protein in cardiac and coronary responses to mechanical/metabolic perturbation remain unclear. We characterised cardiovascular impacts of cavin-1 deficiency, comparing myocardial and coronary phenotypes and responses to stretch and ischaemia-reperfusion in hearts from cavin-1 ^+/+ and cavin-1 ^-/- mice. Caveolae and caveolins 1 and 3 were depleted in cavin-1 ^-/- hearts. Cardiac ejection properties in situ were modestly reduced in cavin-1 ^-/- mice. While peak contractile performance in ex vivo myocardium from cavin-1 ^-/- and cavin-1 ^+/+ mice was comparable, intrinsic beating rate, diastolic stiffness and Frank-Starling behaviour (stretch-dependent diastolic and systolic forces) were exaggerated in cavin-1 ^-/- hearts. Increases in stretch-dependent forces were countered by NOS inhibition (100 µM L-NAME), which exposed negative inotropy in cavin-1 ^-/- hearts, and were mimicked by 100 µM nitroprusside. In contrast, chronotropic differences appeared largely NOS-independent. Cavin-1 deletion also induced NOS-dependent coronary dilatation, ≥3-fold prolongation of reactive hyperaemic responses, and exaggerated pressure-dependence of coronary flow. Stretch-dependent efflux of lactate dehydrogenase and cardiac troponin I was increased and induction of brain natriuretic peptide and c-Fos inhibited in cavin-1 ^-/- hearts, while ERK1/2 phospho-activation was preserved. Post-ischaemic dysfunction and damage was also exaggerated in cavin-1 ^-/- hearts. Diverse effects of cavin-1 deletion reveal important roles in both NOS-dependent and -independent control of cardiac and coronary functions, together with governing sarcolemmal fragility and myocardial responses to stretch and ischaemia.

Increased mitochondrial prooxidant activity mediates up-regulation of Complex I S-glutathionylation via protein thiyl radical in the murine heart of eNOS(-/-)

In response to oxidative stress, mitochondrial Complex I is reversibly S-glutathionylated. We hypothesized that protein S-glutathionylation (PrSSG) of Complex I is mediated by a kinetic mechanism involving reactive protein thiyl radical (PrS(•)) and GSH in vivo. Previous studies have shown that in vitro S-glutathionylation of isolated Complex I at the 51 and 75-kDa subunits was detected under the conditions of (•)O2(-) production, and mass spectrometry confirmed that formation of Complex I PrS(•) mediates PrSSG. Exposure of myocytes to menadione resulted in enhanced Complex I PrSSG and PrS(•) (Kang et al., Free Radical Biol. Med.52:962-973; 2012). In this investigation, we tested our hypothesis in the murine heart of eNOS(-/-). The eNOS(-/-) mouse is known to be hypertensive and develops the pathological phenotype of progressive cardiac hypertrophy. The mitochondria isolated from the eNOS(-/-) myocardium exhibited a marked dysfunction with impaired state 3 respiration, a declining respiratory control index, and decreasing enzymatic activities of ETC components. Further biochemical analysis and EPR measurement indicated defective aconitase activity, a marked increase in (•)O2(-) generation activity, and a more oxidized physiological setting. These results suggest increasing prooxidant activity and subsequent oxidative stress in the mitochondria of the eNOS(-/-) murine heart. When Complex I from the mitochondria of the eNOS(-/-) murine heart was analyzed by immunospin trapping and probed with anti-GSH antibody, both PrS(•) and PrSSG of Complex I were significantly enhanced. Overexpression of SOD2 in the murine heart dramatically diminished the detected PrS(•), supporting the conclusion that mediation of Complex I PrSSG by oxidative stress-induced PrS(•) is a unique pathway for the redox regulation of mitochondrial function in vivo.

Carbon monoxide increases inducible NOS expression that mediates CO-induced myocardial damage during ischemia-reperfusion

We investigated the role of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) on ischemic myocardial damage in rats exposed to daily low nontoxic levels of carbon monoxide (CO). CO is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant that impacts on mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular diseases. We have previously shown that CO exposure aggravates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury partly because of increased oxidative stress. Nevertheless, cellular mechanisms underlying cardiac CO toxicity remain hypothetical. Wistar rats were exposed to simulated urban CO pollution for 4 wk. First, the effects of CO exposure on NO production and NO synthase (NOS) expression were evaluated. Myocardial I/R was performed on isolated perfused hearts in the presence or absence of S-methyl-isothiourea (1 μM), a NOS inhibitor highly specific for iNOS. Finally, Ca(2+) handling was evaluated in isolated myocytes before and after an anoxia-reoxygenation performed with or without S-methyl-isothiourea or N-acetylcystein (20 μM), a nonspecific antioxidant. Our main results revealed that 1) CO exposure altered the pattern of NOS expression, which is characterized by increased neuronal NOS and iNOS expression; 2) cardiac NO production increased in CO rats because of its overexpression of iNOS; and 3) the use of a specific inhibitor of iNOS reduced myocardial hypersensitivity to I/R (infarct size, 29 vs. 51% of risk zone) in CO rat hearts. These last results are explained by the deleterious effects of NO and reactive oxygen species overproduction by iNOS on diastolic Ca(2+) overload and myofilaments Ca(2+) sensitivity. In conclusion, this study highlights the involvement of iNOS overexpression in the pathogenesis of simulated urban CO air pollution exposure.

Overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase impairs the survival of bone marrow stem cells transplanted into rat infarcted myocardium

AIMS

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) over-expression is considered critical to the death of transplanted cells in infarcted myocardium. The present study was to investigate the effect of iNOS on the survival of transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in infarcted myocardium.

MAIN METHODS AND KEY FINDINGS

Male rat BMSCs were injected into the infarct region of female rat hearts at 1 hour (H1, group A), day 3 (D3, group B), and day 7 (D7, group C) after coronary artery ligation, and harvested on D7 after transplantation. Myocardial iNOS expression was significantly increased shortly after coronary ligation with its peak on D3, and returned to baseline at D7. The cell survival rates were 6.2%, 2.1%, and 8.3% in group A, B, and C, respectively, one week after transplantation as assessed by detecting the Y-chromosome sry sequence in the infarct region. There was no significant difference in the survival rates between D7 and week 6 after cell transplantation in group A. Treating the animals in group B with the selective iNOS inhibitor 1400 W significantly increased the survival rate (from 1.8% to 4.2%). Apoptosis level of the transplanted cells was also significantly reduced with 1400 W treatment in group B.

SIGNIFICANCE

BMSC transplantation on H1 and D7 after coronary ligation might be the optimal time for cell survival. The loss of transplanted BMSCs in the infarcted myocardium was partially due to increased apoptosis and iNOS overexpression. Selective iNOS inhibition early in myocardial infarction may increase the cell viability.

Cardiac mitochondria and reactive oxygen species generation

Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) have emerged as an important mechanism of disease and redox signaling in the cardiovascular system. Under basal or pathological conditions, electron leakage for ROS production is primarily mediated by the electron transport chain and the proton motive force consisting of a membrane potential (ΔΨ) and a proton gradient (ΔpH). Several factors controlling ROS production in the mitochondria include flavin mononucleotide and flavin mononucleotide-binding domain of complex I, ubisemiquinone and quinone-binding domain of complex I, flavin adenine nucleotide-binding moiety and quinone-binding pocket of complex II, and unstable semiquinone mediated by the Q cycle of complex III. In mitochondrial complex I, specific cysteinyl redox domains modulate ROS production from the flavin mononucleotide moiety and iron-sulfur clusters. In the cardiovascular system, mitochondrial ROS have been linked to mediating the physiological effects of metabolic dilation and preconditioning-like mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel activation. Furthermore, oxidative post-translational modification by glutathione in complex I and complex II has been shown to affect enzymatic catalysis, protein-protein interactions, and enzyme-mediated ROS production. Conditions associated with oxidative or nitrosative stress, such as myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, increase mitochondrial ROS production via oxidative injury of complexes I and II and superoxide anion radical-induced hydroxyl radical production by aconitase. Further insight into cellular mechanisms by which specific redox post-translational modifications regulate ROS production in the mitochondria will enrich our understanding of redox signal transduction and identify new therapeutic targets for cardiovascular diseases in which oxidative stress perturbs normal redox signaling.

Redox regulation of mitochondrial function with emphasis on cysteine oxidation reactions

Mitochondria have a myriad of essential functions including metabolism and apoptosis. These chief functions are reliant on electron transfer reactions and the production of ATP and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The production of ATP and ROS are intimately linked to the electron transport chain (ETC). Electrons from nutrients are passed through the ETC via a series of acceptor and donor molecules to the terminal electron acceptor molecular oxygen (O2) which ultimately drives the synthesis of ATP. Electron transfer through the respiratory chain and nutrient oxidation also produces ROS. At high enough concentrations ROS can activate mitochondrial apoptotic machinery which ultimately leads to cell death. However, if maintained at low enough concentrations ROS can serve as important signaling molecules. Various regulatory mechanisms converge upon mitochondria to modulate ATP synthesis and ROS production. Given that mitochondrial function depends on redox reactions, it is important to consider how redox signals modulate mitochondrial processes. Here, we provide the first comprehensive review on how redox signals mediated through cysteine oxidation, namely S-oxidation (sulfenylation, sulfinylation), S-glutathionylation, and S-nitrosylation, regulate key mitochondrial functions including nutrient oxidation, oxidative phosphorylation, ROS production, mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), apoptosis, and mitochondrial fission and fusion. We also consider the chemistry behind these reactions and how they are modulated in mitochondria. In addition, we also discuss emerging knowledge on disorders and disease states that are associated with deregulated redox signaling in mitochondria and how mitochondria-targeted medicines can be utilized to restore mitochondrial redox signaling.

Circulating blood endothelial nitric oxide synthase contributes to the regulation of systemic blood pressure and nitrite homeostasis

OBJECTIVE

Mice genetically deficient in endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS(-/-)) are hypertensive with lower circulating nitrite levels, indicating the importance of constitutively produced nitric oxide (NO•) to blood pressure regulation and vascular homeostasis. Although the current paradigm holds that this bioactivity derives specifically from the expression of eNOS in endothelium, circulating blood cells also express eNOS protein. A functional red cell eNOS that modulates vascular NO• signaling has been proposed.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

To test the hypothesis that blood cells contribute to mammalian blood pressure regulation via eNOS-dependent NO• generation, we cross-transplanted wild-type and eNOS(-/-) mice, producing chimeras competent or deficient for eNOS expression in circulating blood cells. Surprisingly, we observed a significant contribution of both endothelial and circulating blood cell eNOS to blood pressure and systemic nitrite levels, the latter being a major component of the circulating NO• reservoir. These effects were abolished by the NOS inhibitor L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester and repristinated by the NOS substrate L-arginine and were independent of platelet or leukocyte depletion. Mouse erythrocytes were also found to carry an eNOS protein and convert (14)C-arginine into (14)C-citrulline in NOS-dependent fashion.

CONCLUSIONS

These are the first studies to definitively establish a role for a blood-borne eNOS, using cross-transplant chimera models, that contributes to the regulation of blood pressure and nitrite homeostasis. This work provides evidence suggesting that erythrocyte eNOS may mediate this effect.

Cardio-Protection by Ginkgo biloba Extract 50 in Rats with Acute Myocardial Infarction is Related to Na+–Ca2+ Exchanger

Ginkgo biloba has been used for medical purposes for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Ginkgo biloba extract 50 (GBE50) is a new standardized GBE product that matches the standardized German product as EGb761. This paper is aimed at studying the cardio-protection effects of GBE50 Salvia miltiorrhiza on myocardial function, area at risk, myocardial ultra-structure, and expression of calcium handling proteins in rat ischemic myocardium. Myocardium ischemia was induced by the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusion and myocardial function was recorded by a transducer advanced into the left ventricle on a computer system. In vitro myocardial infarction was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and Evans blue staining of heart sections. Morphological change was evaluated by electric microscopy and Western blotting was used for protein expression. Hemodynamic experiments in vivo showed that postischemic cardiac contractile function was reduced in ischemic rats. Salvia miltiorrhiza (7.5 g/kg/d×7) and Ginkgo biloba extract 50 (GBE50) (100 mg/kg/d×7) improved post-schemic cardiac diastolic dysfunction while not affecting the systolic function. In hearts of GBE50 group and Salvia miltiorrhiza (SM) group, the area at risk was significantly reduced and myocardial structure was better-preserved. Moreover, Na +– Ca 2+ exchanger (NCX) expression increase and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+– ATPase 2 (SERCA2), LTCC, and ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) expression decreases were smaller than those in ischemia group. There was a significant difference between the GBE50 and ischemia group in NCX expression. GBE50 could improve recovery in contractile function and prevent myocardium from ischemia damage, which may be caused by attenuating the abnormal expression of NCX.

Hyperoxia and transforming growth factor β1 signaling in the post-ischemic mouse heart

AIMS

Following ischemic injury, myocardial healing and remodeling occur with characteristic myofibroblast trans-differentiation and scar formation. The current study tests the hypothesis that hyperoxia and nitric oxide (NO) regulate TGF-β1 signaling in the post-ischemic myocardium.

MAIN METHODS

C57BL/6 wild-type (WT), endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase knockout (eNOS(-/-) and iNOS(-/-)) mice were subjected to 30-min left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion. Myocardial tissue oxygenation was monitored with electron paramagnetic resonance oximetry. Protein expressions of TGF-β1, receptor-activated small mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad), p21 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western immunoblotting, and immunohistochemical staining.

KEY FINDINGS

There was a hyperoxic state in the post-ischemic myocardial tissue. Protein expressions of total and active TGF-β1, p-Smad2/3 over t-Smad2/3 ratio, p21, and α-SMA were significantly increased in WT mice compared to Sham control. Knockout of eNOS or iNOS further increased protein expression of these signals. The expression of α-SMA was more abundant in the infarct of eNOS(-/-) and iNOS(-/-) mice than WT mice. A protein band indicating nitration of TGF-β type-II receptor (TGFβRII) was observed from WT heart. Carbogen (95% O2 plus 5% CO2) treatment increased the ratio of p-Smad2/t-Smad2, which was inhibited by 10006329 EUK (EUK134) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). In conclusion, hyperoxia up-regulated and NO/ONOO(-) inhibited cardiac TGF-β1 signaling and myofibroblast trans-differentiation.

SIGNIFICANCE

These findings may provide new insights in myocardial infarct healing and repair.

Excess no predisposes mitochondrial succinate-cytochrome c reductase to produce hydroxyl radical

Mitochondria-derived oxygen-free radical(s) are important mediators of oxidative cellular injury. It is widely hypothesized that excess NO enhances O(2)(•-) generated by mitochondria under certain pathological conditions. In the mitochondrial electron transport chain, succinate-cytochrome c reductase (SCR) catalyzes the electron transfer reaction from succinate to cytochrome c. To gain the insights into the molecular mechanism of how NO overproduction may mediate the oxygen-free radical generation by SCR, we employed isolated SCR, cardiac myoblast H9c2, and endothelial cells to study the interaction of NO with SCR in vitro and ex vivo. Under the conditions of enzyme turnover in the presence of NO donor (DEANO), SCR gained pro-oxidant function for generating hydroxyl radical as detected by EPR spin trapping using DEPMPO. The EPR signal associated with DEPMPO/(•)OH adduct was nearly completely abolished in the presence of catalase or an iron chelator and partially inhibited by SOD, suggesting the involvement of the iron-H(2)O(2)-dependent Fenton reaction or O(2)(•-)-dependent Haber-Weiss mechanism. Direct EPR measurement of SCR at 77K indicated the formation of a nonheme iron-NO complex, implying that electron leakage to molecular oxygen was enhanced at the FAD cofactor, and that excess NO predisposed SCR to produce (•)OH. In H9c2 cells, SCR-dependent oxygen-free radical generation was stimulated by NO released from DEANO or produced by the cells following exposure to hypoxia/reoxygenation. With shear exposure that led to overproduction of NO by the endothelium, SCR-mediated oxygen-free radical production was also detected in cultured vascular endothelial cells.

Nos3 protects against systemic inflammation and myocardial dysfunction in murine polymicrobial sepsis

NO has been implicated in the pathogenesis of septic shock. However, the role of NO synthase 3 (NOS3) during sepsis remains incompletely understood. Here, we examined the impact of NOS3 deficiency on systemic inflammation and myocardial dysfunction during peritonitis-induced polymicrobial sepsis. Severe polymicrobial sepsis was induced by colon ascendens stent peritonitis (CASP) in wild-type (WT) and NOS3-deficient (NOS3KO) mice. NOS3KO mice exhibited shorter survival time than did WT mice after CASP. NOS3 deficiency worsened systemic inflammation assessed by the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the lung, liver, and heart. Colon ascendens stent peritonitis markedly increased the number of leukocyte infiltrating the liver and heart in NOS3KO but not in WT mice. The exaggerated systemic inflammation in septic NOS3KO mice was associated with more marked myocardial dysfunction than in WT mice 22 h after CASP. The detrimental effects of NOS3 deficiency on myocardial function after CASP seem to be caused by impaired Ca handling of cardiomyocytes. The impaired Ca handling of cardiomyocytes isolated from NOS3KO mice subjected to CASP was associated with depressed mitochondrial ATP production, a determinant of the Ca cycling capacity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase. The NOS3 deficiency-induced impairment of the ability of mitochondria to produce ATP after CASP was at least in part attributable to reduction in mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I activity. These observations suggest that NOS3 protects against systemic inflammation and myocardial dysfunction after peritonitis-induced polymicrobial sepsis in mice.

A novel CARD containing splice-isoform of CIITA regulates nitric oxide synthesis in dendritic cells

MHC class II expression is controlled mainly at transcriptional level by class II transactivator (CIITA), which is a non-DNA binding coactivator and serves as a master control factor for MHC class II genes expression. Here, we describe the function of a novel splice-isoform of CIITA, DC-expressed caspase inhibitory isoform of CIITA (or DC-CASPIC), and we show that the expression of DCCASPIC in DC is upregulated upon lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induction. DC-CASPIC localizes to mitochondria, and protein-protein interaction study demonstrates that DC-CASPIC interacts with caspases and inhibits its activity in DC. Consistently, DC-CASPIC suppresses caspases-induced degradation of nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS2) and subsequently promotes the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). NO is an essential regulatory molecule that modulates the capability of DC in stimulating T cell proliferation/activation in vitro; hence, overexpression of DC-CASPIC in DC enhances this stimulation. Collectively, our findings reveal that DC-CASPIC is a key molecule that regulates caspases activity and NO synthesis in DC.

Moderate exercise prevents impaired Ca2+ handling in heart of CO-exposed rat: implication for sensitivity to ischemia-reperfusion

Sustained urban carbon monoxide (CO) exposure exacerbates heart vulnerability to ischemia-reperfusion via deleterious effects on the antioxidant status and Ca2+ homeostasis of cardiomyocytes. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether moderate exercise training prevents these effects. Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control group and to CO groups, living during 4 wk in simulated urban CO pollution (30–100 parts/million, 12 h/day) with (CO-Ex) or sedentary without exercise (CO-Sed). The exercise procedure began 4 wk before CO exposure and was maintained twice a week in standard filtered air during CO exposure. On one set of rats, myocardial ischemia (30 min) and reperfusion (120 min) were performed on isolated perfused rat hearts. On another set of rats, myocardial antioxidant status and Ca2+ handling were evaluated following environmental exposure. As a result, exercise training prevented CO-induced myocardial phenotypical changes. Indeed, exercise induced myocardial antioxidant status recovery in CO-exposed rats, which is accompanied by a normalization of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a expression and then of Ca2+ handling. Importantly, in CO-exposed rats, the normalization of cardiomyocyte phenotype with moderate exercise was associated with a restored sensitivity of the myocardium to ischemia-reperfusion. Indeed, CO-Ex rats presented a lower infarct size and a significant decrease of reperfusion arrhythmias compared with their sedentary counterparts. To conclude, moderate exercise, by preventing CO-induced Ca2+ handling and myocardial antioxidant status alterations, reduces heart vulnerability to ischemia-reperfusion.

eNOS is required for acute in vivo ischemic preconditioning of the heart: effects of ischemic duration and sex

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a powerful phenomenon that provides potent cardioprotection in mammalian hearts; however, the role of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS)-mediated NO in this process remains highly controversial. Questions also remain regarding this pathway as a function of sex and ischemic duration. Therefore, we performed extensive experiments in wild-type (WT) and eNOS knockout (eNOS(-/-)) mice to evaluate whether the infarct-limiting effect of IPC depends on eNOS, ischemic periods, and sex. Classical IPC was induced by three cycles of 5 min of regional coronary ischemia separated by 5 min of reperfusion and was followed by 30 or 60 min of sustained ischemia and 24 h of reperfusion. The control ischemia-reperfusion protocol had 30 or 60 min of ischemia followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Protection was evaluated by measuring the myocardial infarct size as a percentage of the area at risk. The major findings were that regardless of sex, WT mice exhibited robust IPC with significantly smaller myocardial infarction, whereas eNOS(-/-) mice did not. IPC-induced cardiac protection was absent in eNOS(-/-) mice of both Jackson and Harvard origin. In general, female WT mice had smaller infarctions compared with male WT mice. Although prolonged ischemia caused significantly larger infarctions in WT mice of both sexes, they were consistently protected by IPC. Importantly, prolonged myocardial ischemia was associated with increased mortality in eNOS(-/-) mice, and the survival rate was higher in female eNOS(-/-) mice compared with male eNOS(-/-) mice. In conclusion, IPC protects WT mice against in vivo myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury regardless of sex and ischemic duration, but the deletion of eNOS abolishes the cardioprotective effect of classical IPC.

Cardioprotective effects of a selective B(2) receptor agonist of bradykinin post-acute myocardial infarct

BACKGROUND

The cardioprotective benefits of bradykinin are attributable to activation of its B(2) receptor (B(2)R)-mediated actions and abolished by B(2)R antagonists. The current experiments evaluated the cardioprotective potential of a potent, long-acting B(2)R-selective agonist peptide analogue of bradykinin, the compound NG291.

METHODS

We compared the extent of cardiac tissue damage and remodeling and expression pattern of selected genes in mice submitted to acute myocardial infarct (MI) and treated for 1 week with either NG291 [Hyp(3),Thi(5),(N)Chg(7),Thi(8)]-bradykinin or with saline delivered via osmotic minipump.

RESULTS

Active treatment resulted in better ejection fraction (EF) 69 +/- 1% vs. 61 +/- 3.1% (P = 0.01), (vs. 85 +/- 1.3% in sham-operated controls), fractional shortening (FS) 38 +/- 4% vs. 32 +/- 8% (NS) (vs. 53 +/- 1.2 in sham-operated controls), and fewer markers of myocyte apoptosis (TUNEL-positive nuclei 4.9 +/- 1.1% vs. 9.7 +/- 0.03%, P = 0.03). Systolic blood pressure (SBP) at end point was normal at 110 +/- 4.2 in actively treated mice, but tended to be lower at 104 +/- 4.7 mm Hg in saline controls with decreased cardiac systolic capacity. Expression patterns of selected genes to factors related to tissue injury, inflammation, and metabolism (i.e., the B(1)R, B(2)R, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), TNF-alpha, cardiomyopathy-associated 3 (Cmya3), and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isoenzyme 4 (PDK4)) showed that acute MI induced significant upregulation of these genes, and active treatment prevented or attenuated this upregulation, whereas the B(2)R agonist itself produced no difference in the myocardium of sham-operated mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with a selective B(2)R agonist initiated at the time of induction of acute MI in mice had a beneficial effect on cardiac function, tissue remodeling, and inflammation-related tissue gene expression, which may explain its structural and functional benefits.

Peroxynitrite-mediated oxidative modifications of complex II: relevance in myocardial infarction

Increased O(2)(*-) and NO production is a key mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. In complex II, oxidative impairment and enhanced tyrosine nitration of the 70 kDa FAD-binding protein occur in the post-ischemic myocardium and are thought to be mediated by peroxynitrite (OONO(-)) in vivo [Chen, Y.-R., et al. (2008) J. Biol. Chem. 283, 27991-28003]. To gain deeper insights into the redox protein thiols involved in OONO(-)-mediated oxidative post-translational modifications relevant in myocardial infarction, we subjected isolated myocardial complex II to in vitro protein nitration with OONO(-). This resulted in site-specific nitration at the 70 kDa polypeptide and impairment of complex II-derived electron transfer activity. Under reducing conditions, the gel band of the 70 kDa polypeptide was subjected to in-gel trypsin/chymotrypsin digestion and then LC-MS/MS analysis. Nitration of Y(56) and Y(142) was previously reported. Further analysis revealed that C(267), C(476), and C(537) are involved in OONO(-)-mediated S-sulfonation. To identify the disulfide formation mediated by OONO(-), nitrated complex II was alkylated with iodoacetamide. In-gel proteolytic digestion and LC-MS/MS analysis were conducted under nonreducing conditions. The MS/MS data were examined with MassMatrix, indicating that three cysteine pairs, C(306)-C(312), C(439)-C(444), and C(288)-C(575), were involved in OONO(-)-mediated disulfide formation. Immuno-spin trapping with an anti-DMPO antibody and subsequent MS was used to define oxidative modification with protein radical formation. An OONO(-)-dependent DMPO adduct was detected, and further LC-MS/MS analysis indicated C(288) and C(655) were involved in DMPO binding. These results offered a complete profile of OONO(-)-mediated oxidative modifications that may be relevant in the disease model of myocardial infarction.

Simulated urban carbon monoxide air pollution exacerbates rat heart ischemia-reperfusion injury

Myocardial damages due to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) are recognized to be the result of a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. Epidemiological studies suggested that, among environmental factors, carbon monoxide (CO) urban pollution can be linked to cardiac diseases and mortality. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of exposure to CO pollution on cardiac sensitivity to I/R. Regional myocardial I/R was performed on isolated perfused hearts from rats exposed for 4 wk to air enriched with CO (30-100 ppm). Functional variables, reperfusion ventricular arrhythmias (VA) and cellular damages (infarct size, lactate dehydrogenase release) were assessed. Sarcomere length shortening and Ca(2+) handling were evaluated in intact isolated cardiomyocytes during a cellular anoxia-reoxygenation protocol. The major results show that prolonged CO exposure worsens myocardial I/R injuries, resulting in increased severity of postischemic VA, impaired recovery of myocardial function, and increased infarct size (60 +/- 5 vs. 33 +/- 2% of ischemic zone). The aggravating effects of CO exposure on I/R could be explained by a reduced myocardial enzymatic antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase -45%; glutathione peroxidase -49%) associated with impaired intracellular Ca(2+) handling. In conclusion, our results are consistent with the idea that chronic CO pollution dramatically increases the severity of myocardial I/R injuries.

Endothelin-converting enzyme inhibition in the rat model of acute heart failure: heart function and neurohormonal activation

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in many cardiovascular diseases, including acute heart failure (AHF) due to myocardial ischemia. Previously we described the oral endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) inhibitor, PP36, and in this study, we investigated its cardioprotective effect in more detail, and examined the role of PP36 in the neurohormonal activation in rats that had been subjected to acute myocardial ischemia due to the microsphere embolization of coronary microcirculation. PP36 treatment (3.5 x 10(-5) M/kg/day) led to a significant fourfold decrease in hypertensive response when big-ET-1 was administered to healthy, conscious rats. ECE inhibition did not affect mortality during the first 48 hours after ischemia initiation. Systemic hemodynamic, heart function, and neurohormonal activation were analyzed in the healthy control group, the AHF group, and the AHF+PP36 group two days after AHF induction. In conscious rats in the AHF+PP36 group, mean arterial pressure (MAP) was restored and became similar to that of the MAP of the control group. In anesthetized rats, in the AHF+PP36 group, MAP was not restored and was 22% lower than the MAP of the control group. Myocardial contractility was partially restored and cardiac relaxation significantly improved after PP36 application. Further analysis of cardiac output and peripheral resistance in anesthetized rats revealed no differences between the AHF group and the AHF+PP36 group. There were no differences in plasma ET-1 concentration, serum angiotensin converting enzyme activity, and in the adrenal glands' catecholamine content between the AHF group and the AHF+PP36 group. However, rats in the AHF+PP36 group demonstrated a 60% decrease in cardiac endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression, and a 56% reduction of myocardial norepinephrine release, when compared with the AHF group's animals. These results suggest that PP36 can preserve heart function during the recovery from acute ischemic injury, and may modulate the cardiac norepinephrine release and eNOS protein level.

Enhancement of nitric oxide release from nitrosyl hemoglobin and nitrosyl myoglobin by red/near infrared radiation: potential role in cardioprotection

Nitric oxide is an important messenger in numerous biological processes, such as angiogenesis, hypoxic vasodilation, and cardioprotection. Although nitric oxide synthases (NOS) produce the bulk of NO, there is increasing interest in NOS independent generation of NO in vivo, particularly during hypoxia or anoxia, where low oxygen tensions limit NOS activity. Interventions that can increase NO bioavailability have significant therapeutic potential. The use of far red and near infrared light (R/NIR) can reduce infarct size, protect neurons from methanol toxicity, and stimulate angiogenesis. How R/NIR modulates these processes in vivo and in vitro is unknown, but it has been suggested that increases in NO levels are involved. In this study we examined if R/NIR light could facilitate the release of NO from nitrosyl heme proteins. In addition, we examined if R/NIR light could enhance the protective effects of nitrite on ischemia and reperfusion injury in the rabbit heart. We show both in purified systems and in myocardium that R/NIR light can decay nitrosyl hemes and release NO, and that this released NO may enhance the cardioprotective effects of nitrite. Thus, the photodissociation to NO and its synergistic effect with sodium nitrite may represent a noninvasive and site specific means for increasing NO bioavailability.

In vivo visualization of nitric oxide and interactions among platelets, leukocytes, and endothelium following hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion

OBJECTIVES

We examined changes in nitric oxide (NO) distribution in the mesenteric microcirculation after hemorrhagic shock and reperfusion (H/R), and correlated NO production to leukocyte and platelet behavior.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The behavior of leukocytes and platelets in mesenteric venules was observed by intravital microscopy at 0.5 and 24 h after H/R in male Wistar rats. Transvascular leakage of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled albumin was assessed by epi-illumination. The NO-sensitive dye, 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate, was used for imaging NO release.

RESULTS

H/R significantly increased vascular albumin leakage and adhesion of leukocytes and platelets (P < 0.05). In H/R 0.5 h rats, NO production in the venular endothelium declined. However, NO production was elevated in H/R 24 h rats in mast cells (P < 0.05). Leukocyte adherence, platelet adherence, and venular permeability were attenuated by iNOS inhibition.

CONCLUSION

Mesenteric endothelial cell dysfunction after H/R 0.5 h is associated with reduced NO, whereas after H/R 24 h is related to increase NO in mast cells.

Protein tyrosine nitration of the flavin subunit is associated with oxidative modification of mitochondrial complex II in the post-ischemic myocardium

Increased O(2)* and NO production is a key mechanism of mitochondrial dysfunction in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. A crucial segment of the mitochondrial electron transport chain is succinate ubiquinone reductase (SQR or Complex II). In SQR, oxidative impairment and deglutathionylation of the 70-kDa flavin protein occurs in the post-ischemic heart ( Chen, Y. R., Chen, C. L., Pfeiffer, D. R., and Zweier, J. L. (2007) J. Biol. Chem. 282, 32640-32654 ). To gain insights into the oxidative modification of the 70-kDa protein in the post-ischemic myocardium, we used the identified S-glutathionylated peptide ((77)AAFGLSEAGFNTACVTK(93)) of the 70-kDa protein as a chimeric epitope incorporating a "promiscuous" T cell epitope to generate a high titer polyclonal antibody, AbGSC90. Purified AbGSC90 showed a high binding affinity to isolated SQR. Antibodies of AbGSC90 moderately inhibited the electron transfer and superoxide generation activities of SQR. To test for protein nitration, rats were subjected to 30 min of coronary ligation followed by 24 h of reperfusion. Tissue homogenates were immunoprecipitated with AbGSC90 and probed with antibodies against 3-nitrotyrosine. Enhancement of protein tyrosine nitration was detected in the post-ischemic myocardium. Isolated SQR was subjected to in vitro protein nitration with peroxynitrite, leading to site-specific nitration at the 70-kDa polypeptide and impairment of SQR electron transfer activity. Protein nitration of SQR further impaired its protein-protein interaction with Complex III. Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry analysis indicated that Tyr-56 and Tyr-142 were involved in protein tyrosine nitration. When the isolated SQR was subjected to in vitro S-glutathionylation, oxidative modification and impairment mediated by peroxynitrite were significantly decreased, thus confirming the protective effect of S-glutathionylation from the oxidative damage of nitration.

Hypoxic conditioning suppresses nitric oxide production upon myocardial reperfusion

Physiologically modulated concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) are generally beneficial, but excessive NO can injure myocardium by producing cytotoxic peroxynitrite. Recently we reported that intermittent, normobaric hypoxia conditioning (IHC) produced robust cardioprotection against infarction and lethal arrhythmias in a canine model of coronary occlusion-reperfusion. This study tested the hypothesis that IHC suppresses myocardial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and thereby dampens explosive, excessive NO formation upon reperfusion of occluded coronary arteries. Mongrel dogs were conditioned by a 20 d program of IHC (FIO(2) 9.5-10%; 5-10 min hypoxia/cycle, 5-8 cycles/d with intervening 4 min normoxia). One day later, ventricular myocardium was sampled for NOS activity assays, and immunoblot detection of the endothelial NOS isoform (eNOS). In separate experiments, myocardial nitrite (NO(2)(-)) release, an index of NO formation, was measured at baseline and during reperfusion following 1 h occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Values in IHC dogs were compared with respective values in non-conditioned, control dogs. IHC lowered left and right ventricular NOS activities by 60%, from 100-115 to 40-45 mU/g protein (P < 0.01), and decreased eNOS content by 30% (P < 0.05). IHC dampened cumulative NO(2)(-) release during the first 5 min reperfusion from 32 +/- 7 to 14 +/- 2 mumol/g (P < 0.05), but did not alter hyperemic LAD flow (15 +/- 2 vs. 13 +/- 2 ml/g). Thus, IHC suppressed myocardial NOS activity, eNOS content, and excessive NO formation upon reperfusion without compromising reactive hyperemia. Attenuation of the NOS/NO system may contribute to IHC-induced protection of myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Targeting of phospholamban by peroxynitrite decreases beta-adrenergic stimulation in cardiomyocytes

AIMS

Peroxynitrite production increases during the pathogenesis of numerous cardiac disorders (e.g. heart failure). However, limited studies have investigated the mechanism through which peroxynitrite exerts anti-adrenergic effects. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the contribution of phospholamban (PLB), a critical excitation-contraction coupling protein, to the peroxynitrite-induced dysfunction.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Isolated myocytes from wild-type (WT, CF-1) and PLB knockout (PLB(-/-)) mice were stimulated at 1 Hz, and myocyte shortening and Ca(2+) transients were simultaneously recorded. PLB phosphorylation was measured via western blot. Myocytes were superfused with isoproterenol, a beta-adrenergic agonist, and SIN-1, a peroxynitrite donor. SIN-1 superfusion dramatically decreased isoproterenol-stimulated Ca(2+) transients and myocyte shortening in WT myocytes. These effects were inhibited upon addition of the peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst, FeTPPS. Surprisingly, SIN-1 had no functional effect on beta-adrenergic-stimulated PLB(-/-) myocytes. Western blot analyses revealed that SIN-1 significantly decreased isoproterenol-stimulated PLB(Ser16) phosphorylation. Experiments with the protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, alleviated the SIN-1-induced functional effects and the decrease in PLB phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS

The peroxynitrite donor SIN-1 decreases beta-adrenergic stimulation by reducing PLB(Ser16) phosphorylation via protein phosphatase activation. This peroxynitrite-induced decrease in PLB phosphorylation may be a key mechanism in the beta-adrenergic dysfunction observed in many cardiomyopathies.

Expression of SERCA isoform with faster Ca2+ transport properties improves postischemic cardiac function and Ca2+ handling and decreases myocardial infarction

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is associated with contractile dysfunction, arrhythmias, and myocyte death. Intracellular Ca(2+) overload with reduced activity of sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase (SERCA) is a critical mechanism of this injury. Although upregulation of SERCA function is well documented to improve postischemic cardiac function, there are conflicting reports where pharmacological inhibition of SERCA improved postischemic function. SERCA2a is the primary cardiac isoform regulating intracellular Ca(2+) homeostasis; however, SERCA1a has been shown to substitute SERCA2a with faster Ca(2+) transport kinetics. Therefore, to further address this issue and to evaluate whether SERCA1a expression could improve postischemic cardiac function and myocardial salvage, in vitro and in vivo myocardial I/R studies were performed on SERCA1a transgenic (SERCA1a(+/+)) and nontransgenic (NTG) mice. Langendorff-perfused hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by reperfusion. Baseline preischemic coronary flow and left ventricular developed pressure were significantly greater in SERCA1a(+/+) mice compared with NTG mice. Independent of reperfusion-induced oxidative stress, SERCA1a(+/+) hearts demonstrated greatly improved postischemic (45 min) contractile recovery with less persistent arrhythmias compared with NTG hearts. Morphometry showed better-preserved myocardial structure with less infarction, and electron microscopy demonstrated better-preserved myofibrillar and mitochondrial ultrastructure in SERCA1a(+/+) hearts. Importantly, intraischemic Ca(2+) levels were significantly lower in SERCA1a(+/+) hearts. The cardioprotective effect of SERCA1a was also observed during in vivo regional I/R with reduced myocardial infarct size after 24 h of reperfusion. Thus SERCA1a(+/+) hearts were markedly protected against I/R injury, suggesting that expression of SERCA 1a isoform reduces postischemic Ca(2+) overload and thus provides potent myocardial protection.