1
|
Deng JT, Bhaidani S, Sutherland C, MacDonald JA, Walsh MP. Rho-associated kinase and zipper-interacting protein kinase, but not myosin light chain kinase, are involved in the regulation of myosin phosphorylation in serum-stimulated human arterial smooth muscle cells. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0226406. [PMID: 31834925 PMCID: PMC6910671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Myosin regulatory light chain (LC20) phosphorylation plays an important role in vascular smooth muscle contraction and cell migration. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) phosphorylates LC20 (its only known substrate) exclusively at S19. Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) and zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK) have been implicated in the regulation of LC20 phosphorylation via direct phosphorylation of LC20 at T18 and S19 and indirectly via phosphorylation of MYPT1 (the myosin targeting subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase, MLCP) and Par-4 (prostate-apoptosis response-4). Phosphorylation of MYPT1 at T696 and T853 inhibits MLCP activity whereas phosphorylation of Par-4 at T163 disrupts its interaction with MYPT1, exposing the sites of phosphorylation in MYPT1 and leading to MLCP inhibition. To evaluate the roles of MLCK, ROCK and ZIPK in these phosphorylation events, we investigated the time courses of phosphorylation of LC20, MYPT1 and Par-4 in serum-stimulated human vascular smooth muscle cells (from coronary and umbilical arteries), and examined the effects of siRNA-mediated MLCK, ROCK and ZIPK knockdown and pharmacological inhibition on these phosphorylation events. Serum stimulation induced rapid phosphorylation of LC20 at T18 and S19, MYPT1 at T696 and T853, and Par-4 at T163, peaking within 30–120 s. MLCK knockdown or inhibition, or Ca2+ chelation with EGTA, had no effect on serum-induced LC20 phosphorylation. ROCK knockdown decreased the levels of phosphorylation of LC20 at T18 and S19, of MYPT1 at T696 and T853, and of Par-4 at T163, whereas ZIPK knockdown decreased LC20 diphosphorylation, but increased phosphorylation of MYPT1 at T696 and T853 and of Par-4 at T163. ROCK inhibition with GSK429286A reduced serum-induced phosphorylation of LC20 at T18 and S19, MYPT1 at T853 and Par-4 at T163, while ZIPK inhibition by HS38 reduced only LC20 diphosphorylation. We also demonstrated that serum stimulation induced phosphorylation (activation) of ZIPK, which was inhibited by ROCK and ZIPK down-regulation and inhibition. Finally, basal phosphorylation of LC20 in the absence of serum stimulation was unaffected by MLCK, ROCK or ZIPK knockdown or inhibition. We conclude that: (i) serum stimulation of cultured human arterial smooth muscle cells results in rapid phosphorylation of LC20, MYPT1, Par-4 and ZIPK, in contrast to the slower phosphorylation of kinases and other proteins involved in other signaling pathways (Akt, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and HSP27), (ii) ROCK and ZIPK, but not MLCK, are involved in serum-induced phosphorylation of LC20, (iii) ROCK, but not ZIPK, directly phosphorylates MYPT1 at T853 and Par-4 at T163 in response to serum stimulation, (iv) ZIPK phosphorylation is enhanced by serum stimulation and involves phosphorylation by ROCK and autophosphorylation, and (v) basal phosphorylation of LC20 under serum-free conditions is not attributable to MLCK, ROCK or ZIPK.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Ti Deng
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sabreena Bhaidani
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Cindy Sutherland
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Justin A. MacDonald
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael P. Walsh
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Shang HS, Lu HF, Lee CH, Chiang HS, Chu YL, Chen A, Lin YF, Chung JG. Quercetin induced cell apoptosis and altered gene expression in AGS human gastric cancer cells. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2018; 33:1168-1181. [PMID: 30152185 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Quercetin is one of the natural components from natural plant and it induces cell apoptosis in many human cancer cell lines. However, no available reports show that quercetin induces apoptosis and altered associated gene expressions in human gastric cancer cells, thus, we investigated the effect of quercetin on the apoptotic cell death and associated gene expression in human gastric cancer AGS cells. Results indicated that quercetin induced cell morphological changes and reduced total viability via apoptotic cell death in AGS cells. Furthermore, results from flow cytometric assay indicated that quercetin increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, decreased the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm ), and increased the apoptotic cell number in AGS cells. Results from western blotting showed that quercetin decreased anti-apoptotic protein of Mcl-1, Bcl-2, and Bcl-x but increased pro-apoptotic protein of Bad, Bax, and Bid. Furthermore, quercetin increased the gene expressions of TNFRSF10D (Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 10d, decoy with truncated death domain), TP53INP1 (tumor protein p53 inducible nuclear protein 1), and JUNB (jun B proto-oncogene) but decreased the gene expression of VEGFB (vascular endothelial growth factor B), CDK10 (cyclin-dependent kinase 10), and KDELC2 (KDEL [Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu] containing 2) that are associated with apoptosis pathways. Thus, those findings may offer more information regarding the molecular, gene expression, and signaling pathway for quercetin induced apoptotic cell death in human gastric cancer cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hung-Sheng Shang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hsu-Feng Lu
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsiao Lee
- Department of Medical Technology, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Han-Sun Chiang
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei city, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Lin Chu
- International Master's Degree Program in Food Science, International College, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung, Taiwan
| | - Ann Chen
- Division of Clinical Pathology, Department of Pathology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yuh-Feng Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Gung Chung
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lin CH, Funayama S, Peng SF, Kuo CL, Chung JG. The ethanol extraction of prepared Psoralea corylifolia induces apoptosis and autophagy and alteres genes expression assayed by cDNA microarray in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2018; 33:770-788. [PMID: 29667321 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Prostate cancer is the most common male reproductive system cancer. The prevalence of prostate cancer in Europe and the United States is higher than that in the Asian region. However, the treatment of prostate cancer remains unsatisfactory. Psoralea corylifolia has been used to cure this disease as Chinese medicine in the Asian region. In this study, we analyzed the components of ethanol extraction of unprepared and prepared P. corylifolia by HPLC. Psoralen and isopsoralen content from the prepared P. corylifolia is twofold higher than that from unprepared, so we use the prepared extraction in this study. However, the effects of the ethanol extraction of P. corylifolia (PCE) on PC-3 human prostate cancer cells remain unclear. PC-3 cells were treated with PCE for different time periods and cells were examined for cell morphological change and total viable cells by using contrast phase microscopy and flow cytometer, respectively. Results indicated that PCE induced cell morphological changes and cytotoxic effect in PC-3 cells in dose-dependent manners. PCE induced chromatin condensation of PC-3 cells dose-dependently. PCE also induced apoptosis and autophagy in PC-3 by western blotting and acridine orange (AO) staining, respectively. Furthermore, a complementary DNA microarray analysis demonstrated that PCE treatment led to 944 genes upregulation and 872 genes downregulation. For example, the DNA damage-associated gene DNA-damage-inducible transcript 3 (DDIT 3) had a 62.1-fold upregulation and CDK1 2.68-fold downregulation. The differential genes were classified according to the Gene Ontology. Furthermore, GeneGo software was used for the key genes involved and their possible interaction pathways. Those genes were affected by P. corylifolia, which provided information for the understanding of the antiprostate cancer mechanism at the genetic level and provide additional targets for the treatments of human prostate cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hsin Lin
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Shinji Funayama
- Department of Kampo Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nihon Pharmaceutical University Saitama, Saitama, Japan
| | - Shu-Fen Peng
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Lin Kuo
- Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, China Medical University, Taichung, 404, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Gung Chung
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, China Medical University, 404, Taiwan, Taichung
- Department of Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung, 413, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cyclic Mechanical Stretch Up-regulates Hepatoma-Derived Growth Factor Expression in Cultured Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells. Biosci Rep 2018; 38:BSR20171398. [PMID: 29467272 PMCID: PMC5857908 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20171398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) is a potent mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) during embryogenesis and injury repair of vessel walls. Whether mechanical stimuli modulate HDGF expression remains unknown. The present study aimed at investigating whether cyclic mechanical stretch plays a regulatory role in HDGF expression and regenerative cytokine production in aortic SMCs. A SMC cell line was grown on a silicone-based elastomer chamber with extracellular matrix coatings (either type I collagen or fibronectin) and received cyclic and uniaxial mechanical stretches with 10% deformation at frequency 1 Hz. Morphological observation showed that fibronectin coating provided better cell adhesion and spreading and that consecutive 6 h of cyclic mechanical stretch remarkably induced reorientation and realignment of SMCs. Western blotting detection demonstrated that continuous mechanical stimuli elicited up-regulation of HDGF and proliferative cell nuclear antigen, a cell proliferative marker. Signal kinetic profiling study indicated that cyclic mechanical stretch induced signaling activity in RhoA/ROCK and PI3K/Akt cascades. Kinase inhibition study further showed that blockade of PI3K activity suppressed the stretch-induced tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), whereas RhoA/ROCK inhibition significantly blunted the interleukin-6 (IL-6) production and HDGF overexpression. Moreover, siRNA-mediated HDGF gene silencing significantly suppressed constitutive expression of IL-6, but not TNF-α, in SMCs. These findings support the role of HDGF in maintaining vascular expression of IL-6, which has been regarded a crucial regenerative factor for acute vascular injury. In conclusion, cyclic mechanical stretch may maintain constitutive expression of HDGF in vascular walls and be regarded an important biophysical regulator in vascular regeneration.
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhu T, He Y, Yang J, Fu W, Xu X, Si Y. MYBPH inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell migration and attenuates neointimal hyperplasia in a rat carotid balloon-injury model. Exp Cell Res 2017; 359:154-162. [PMID: 28800959 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Revised: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration is implicated in restenosis. Myosin binding protein H (MYBPH) is capable of reducing cell motility and metastasis. In this study, we sought to determine whether MYBPH is involved in VSMC migration and neointima formation in response to vascular injury. To determine the expression of MYBPH in injured artery, we used a standard rat carotid artery balloon-injury model. In vivo studies have demonstrated that MYBPH is upregulated after vascular injury. VSMCs treated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB displayed increased MYBPH mRNA and protein levels. PDGF-induced VSMC migration was inhibited by adenovirus-mediated expression of MYBPH whereas it was enhanced by small interfering RNA knockdown of MYBPH. The activation of ROCK1 was repressed by MYBPH. Luminal delivery of MYBPH adenovirus to carotid arteries decreased neointimal hyperplasia in vivo. MYBPH may, therefore, serve as a novel therapeutic target for postangioplasty restenosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, 200032, China
| | - Yi He
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200092, China
| | - Jue Yang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, 200032, China
| | - Weiguo Fu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, 200032, China
| | - Xin Xu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, 200032, China.
| | - Yi Si
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, 200032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Brodehl A, Belke DD, Garnett L, Martens K, Abdelfatah N, Rodriguez M, Diao C, Chen YX, Gordon PMK, Nygren A, Gerull B. Transgenic mice overexpressing desmocollin-2 (DSC2) develop cardiomyopathy associated with myocardial inflammation and fibrotic remodeling. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174019. [PMID: 28339476 PMCID: PMC5365111 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy is an inherited heart muscle disorder leading to ventricular arrhythmias and heart failure, mainly as a result of mutations in cardiac desmosomal genes. Desmosomes are cell-cell junctions mediating adhesion of cardiomyocytes; however, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the disease remain widely unknown. Desmocollin-2 is a desmosomal cadherin serving as an anchor molecule required to reconstitute homeostatic intercellular adhesion with desmoglein-2. Cardiac specific lack of desmoglein-2 leads to severe cardiomyopathy, whereas overexpression does not. In contrast, the corresponding data for desmocollin-2 are incomplete, in particular from the view of protein overexpression. Therefore, we developed a mouse model overexpressing desmocollin-2 to determine its potential contribution to cardiomyopathy and intercellular adhesion pathology. Methods and results We generated transgenic mice overexpressing DSC2 in cardiac myocytes. Transgenic mice developed a severe cardiac dysfunction over 5 to 13 weeks as indicated by 2D-echocardiography measurements. Corresponding histology and immunohistochemistry demonstrated fibrosis, necrosis and calcification which were mainly localized in patches near the epi- and endocardium of both ventricles. Expressions of endogenous desmosomal proteins were markedly reduced in fibrotic areas but appear to be unchanged in non-fibrotic areas. Furthermore, gene expression data indicate an early up-regulation of inflammatory and fibrotic remodeling pathways between 2 to 3.5 weeks of age. Conclusion Cardiac specific overexpression of desmocollin-2 induces necrosis, acute inflammation and patchy cardiac fibrotic remodeling leading to fulminant biventricular cardiomyopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Brodehl
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Darrell D. Belke
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lauren Garnett
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kristina Martens
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nelly Abdelfatah
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Marcela Rodriguez
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Catherine Diao
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yong-Xiang Chen
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Paul M. K. Gordon
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute Genomics and Bioinformatics Facility, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Anders Nygren
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Brenda Gerull
- Department of Cardiac Sciences and Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Comprehensive Heart Failure Center and Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Al-Ghabkari A, Deng JT, McDonald PC, Dedhar S, Alshehri M, Walsh MP, MacDonald JA. A novel inhibitory effect of oxazol-5-one compounds on ROCKII signaling in human coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32118. [PMID: 27573465 PMCID: PMC5004178 DOI: 10.1038/srep32118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The selectivity of (4Z)-2-(4-chloro-3-nitrophenyl)-4-(pyridin-3-ylmethylidene)-1,3-oxazol-5-one (DI) for zipper-interacting protein kinase (ZIPK) was previously described by in silico computational modeling, screening a large panel of kinases, and determining the inhibition efficacy. Our assessment of DI revealed another target, the Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase 2 (ROCKII). In vitro studies showed DI to be a competitive inhibitor of ROCKII (Ki, 132 nM with respect to ATP). This finding was supported by in silico molecular surface docking of DI with the ROCKII ATP-binding pocket. Time course analysis of myosin regulatory light chain (LC20) phosphorylation catalyzed by ROCKII in vitro revealed a significant decrease upon treatment with DI. ROCKII signaling was investigated in situ in human coronary artery vascular smooth muscle cells (CASMCs). ROCKII down-regulation using siRNA revealed several potential substrates involved in smooth muscle contraction (e.g., LC20, Par-4, MYPT1) and actin cytoskeletal dynamics (cofilin). The application of DI to CASMCs attenuated LC20, Par-4, LIMK, and cofilin phosphorylations. Notably, cofilin phosphorylation was not significantly decreased with a novel ZIPK selective inhibitor (HS-38). In addition, CASMCs treated with DI underwent cytoskeletal changes that were associated with diminution of cofilin phosphorylation. We conclude that DI is not selective for ZIPK and is a potent inhibitor of ROCKII.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdulhameed Al-Ghabkari
- Department of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Jing-Ti Deng
- Department of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Paul C McDonald
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Centre, 675 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Shoukat Dedhar
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Centre, 675 West 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1L3, Canada
| | - Mana Alshehri
- Department of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Michael P Walsh
- Department of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Justin A MacDonald
- Department of Biochemistry &Molecular Biology, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4Z6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lopez NC, Ebensperger G, Herrera EA, Reyes RV, Calaf G, Cabello G, Moraga FA, Beñaldo FA, Diaz M, Parer JT, Llanos AJ. Role of the RhoA/ROCK pathway in high-altitude associated neonatal pulmonary hypertension in lambs. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2016; 310:R1053-63. [PMID: 26911462 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00177.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to high-altitude chronic hypoxia during pregnancy may cause pulmonary hypertension in neonates, as a result of vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling. We hypothesized that susceptibility to pulmonary hypertension, due to an augmented expression and activity of the RhoA/Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway in these neonates, can be reduced by daily administration of fasudil, a ROCK inhibitor. We studied 10 highland newborn lambs with conception, gestation, and birth at 3,600 m in Putre, Chile. Five highland controls (HLC) were compared with 5 highland lambs treated with fasudil (HL-FAS; 3 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) iv for 10 days). Ten lowland controls were studied in Lluta (50 m; LLC). During the 10 days of fasudil daily administration, the drug decreased pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) and resistance (PVR), basally and during a superimposed episode of acute hypoxia. HL-FAS small pulmonary arteries showed diminished muscular area and a reduced contractile response to the thromboxane analog U46619 compared with HLC. Hypoxia, but not fasudil, changed the protein expression pattern of the RhoA/ROCKII pathway. Moreover, HL-FAS lungs expressed less pMYPT1(T850) and pMYPT1T(696) than HLC, with a potential increase of the myosin light chain phosphatase activity. Finally, hypoxia induced RhoA, ROCKII, and PKG mRNA expression in PASMCs of HLC, but fasudil reduced them (HL-FAS) similarly to LLC. We conclude that fasudil decreases the function of the RhoA/ROCK pathway, reducing the PAP and PVR in chronically hypoxic highland neonatal lambs. The inhibition of ROCKs by fasudil may offer a possible therapeutic tool for the pulmonary hypertension of the neonates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nandy C Lopez
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Fisiopatología del Desarrollo, Programa de Fisiopatología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - German Ebensperger
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Fisiopatología del Desarrollo, Programa de Fisiopatología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; International Center for Andean Studies (INCAS), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Emilio A Herrera
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Fisiopatología del Desarrollo, Programa de Fisiopatología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; International Center for Andean Studies (INCAS), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roberto V Reyes
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Fisiopatología del Desarrollo, Programa de Fisiopatología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; International Center for Andean Studies (INCAS), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gloria Calaf
- Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
| | - Gertrudis Cabello
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Tarapacá, Arica, Chile
| | - Fernando A Moraga
- Departamento de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Católica del Norte, Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Felipe A Beñaldo
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Fisiopatología del Desarrollo, Programa de Fisiopatología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marcela Diaz
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Fisiopatología del Desarrollo, Programa de Fisiopatología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Departamento de Promoción de la Salud de la Mujer y el Recién Nacido, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; and
| | - Julian T Parer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Anibal J Llanos
- Laboratorio de Fisiología y Fisiopatología del Desarrollo, Programa de Fisiopatología, ICBM, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile; International Center for Andean Studies (INCAS), Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile;
| |
Collapse
|