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Yuan S, Straub AC. STING inhibition enables efficient plasmid-based gene expression in primary vascular cells: A simple and cost-effective transfection protocol. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303472. [PMID: 38990864 PMCID: PMC11238992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasmid transfection in cells is widely employed to express exogenous proteins, offering valuable mechanistic insight into their function(s). However, plasmid transfection efficiency in primary vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is restricted with lipid-based transfection reagents such as Lipofectamine. The STING pathway, activated by foreign DNA in the cytosol, prevents foreign gene expression and induces DNA degradation. To address this, we explored the potential of STING inhibitors on the impact of plasmid expression in primary ECs and SMCs. Primary human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were transfected with a bicistronic plasmid expressing cytochrome b5 reductase 4 (CYB5R4) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) using Lipofectamine 3000. Two STING inhibitors, MRT67307 and BX795, were added during transfection and overnight post-transfection. As a result, MRT67307 significantly enhanced CYB5R4 and EGFP expression, even 24 hours after its removal. In comparison, MRT67307 pretreatment did not affect transfection, suggesting the inhibitor's effect was readily reversible. The phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) at Serine 1177 (S1177) by vascular endothelial growth factor is essential for endothelial proliferation, migration, and survival. Using the same protocol, we transfected wild-type and phosphorylation-incapable mutant (S1177A) eNOS in HAECs. Both forms of eNOS localized on the plasma membrane, but only the wild-type eNOS was phosphorylated by vascular endothelial growth factor treatment, indicating normal functionality of overexpressed proteins. MRT67307 and BX795 also improved plasmid expression in human and rat aortic SMCs. In conclusion, this study presents a modification enabling efficient plasmid transfection in primary vascular ECs and SMCs, offering a favorable approach to studying protein function(s) in these cell types, with potential implications for other primary cell types that are challenging to transfect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Adam C. Straub
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Center for Microvascular Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Muskat JC, Babbs CF, Goergen CJ, Rayz VL. Transport of nitrite from large arteries modulates regional blood flow during stress and exercise. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1146717. [PMID: 37378407 PMCID: PMC10291090 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1146717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Acute cardiovascular stress increases systemic wall shear stress (WSS)-a frictional force exerted by the flow of blood on vessel walls-which raises plasma nitrite concentration due to enhanced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity. Upstream eNOS inhibition modulates distal perfusion, and autonomic stress increases both the consumption and vasodilatory effects of endogenous nitrite. Plasma nitrite maintains vascular homeostasis during exercise and disruption of nitrite bioavailability can lead to intermittent claudication. Hypothesis During acute cardiovascular stress or strenuous exercise, we hypothesize enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO) by vascular endothelial cells raises nitrite concentrations in near-wall layers of flowing blood, resulting in cumulative NO concentrations in downstream arterioles sufficient for vasodilation. Confirmation and implications Utilizing a multiscale model of nitrite transport in bifurcating arteries, we tested the hypothesis for femoral artery flow under resting and exercised states of cardiovascular stress. Results indicate intravascular transport of nitrite from upstream endothelium could result in vasodilator-active levels of nitrite in downstream resistance vessels. The hypothesis could be confirmed utilizing artery-on-a-chip technology to measure NO production rates directly and help validate numerical model predictions. Further characterization of this mechanism may improve our understanding of symptomatic peripheral artery occlusive disease and exercise physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. C. Muskat
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - C. F. Babbs
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - C. J. Goergen
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - V. L. Rayz
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
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Johnson KA, Jeffery E, Bray JF, Murphy MM, Heaps CL. Exercise training rescues impaired H 2O 2-mediated vasodilation in porcine collateral-dependent coronary arterioles through enhanced K + channel activation. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 324:H637-H653. [PMID: 36867445 PMCID: PMC10069968 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00710.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported that exercise training drives enhanced agonist-stimulated hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels and restores endothelium-dependent dilation via an increased reliance on H2O2 in arterioles isolated from ischemic porcine hearts. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that exercise training would correct impaired H2O2-mediated dilation in coronary arterioles isolated from ischemic myocardium through increases in protein kinase G (PKG) and protein kinase A (PKA) activation and subsequent colocalization with sarcolemmal K+ channels. Female adult Yucatan miniature swine were surgically instrumented with an ameroid constrictor around the proximal left circumflex coronary artery, gradually inducing a collateral-dependent vascular bed. Arterioles (∼125 µm) supplied by the left anterior descending artery served as nonoccluded control vessels. Pigs were separated into exercise (treadmill; 5 days/wk for 14 wk) and sedentary groups. Collateral-dependent arterioles isolated from sedentary pigs were significantly less sensitive to H2O2-induced dilation compared with nonoccluded arterioles, whereas exercise training reversed the impaired sensitivity. Large conductance calcium-activated potassium (BKCa) channels and 4AP-sensitive voltage-gated (Kv) channels contributed significantly to dilation in nonoccluded and collateral-dependent arterioles of exercise-trained but not sedentary pigs. Exercise training significantly increased H2O2-stimulated colocalization of BKCa channels and PKA, but not PKG, in smooth muscle cells of collateral-dependent arterioles compared with other treatment groups. Taken together, our studies suggest that with exercise training, nonoccluded and collateral-dependent coronary arterioles better use H2O2 as a vasodilator through increased coupling with BKCa and 4AP-sensitive Kv channels; changes that are mediated in part by enhanced colocalization of PKA with BKCa channels.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The current study reveals that coronary arterioles distal to stenosis display attenuated dilation responses to H2O2 that are restored with endurance exercise training. Enhanced H2O2 dilation after exercise is dependent on Kv and BKCa channels and at least in part on in colocalization of BKCa channel and PKA and independent of PKA dimerization. These findings expand our earlier studies which demonstrated that exercise training drives beneficial adaptive responses of reactive oxygen species in the microvasculature of the ischemic heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalen A Johnson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
| | - Elise Jeffery
- Children's Research Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, United States
| | - Jeff F Bray
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
| | - Malea M Murphy
- Integrated Microscopy and Imaging Laboratory, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
| | - Cristine L Heaps
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
- Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Science and Biomedical Devices, School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States
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Parab S, Setten E, Astanina E, Bussolino F, Doronzo G. The tissue-specific transcriptional landscape underlines the involvement of endothelial cells in health and disease. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 246:108418. [PMID: 37088448 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) that line vascular and lymphatic vessels are being increasingly recognized as important to organ function in health and disease. ECs participate not only in the trafficking of gases, metabolites, and cells between the bloodstream and tissues but also in the angiocrine-based induction of heterogeneous parenchymal cells, which are unique to their specific tissue functions. The molecular mechanisms regulating EC heterogeneity between and within different tissues are modeled during embryogenesis and become fully established in adults. Any changes in adult tissue homeostasis induced by aging, stress conditions, and various noxae may reshape EC heterogeneity and induce specific transcriptional features that condition a functional phenotype. Heterogeneity is sustained via specific genetic programs organized through the combinatory effects of a discrete number of transcription factors (TFs) that, at the single tissue-level, constitute dynamic networks that are post-transcriptionally and epigenetically regulated. This review is focused on outlining the TF-based networks involved in EC specialization and physiological and pathological stressors thought to modify their architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushant Parab
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Elisa Setten
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Elena Astanina
- Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
| | - Federico Bussolino
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Doronzo
- Department of Oncology, University of Torino, IT, Italy; Candiolo Cancer Institute-IRCCS-FPO, Candiolo, Torino, IT, Italy
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Luttrell M, Kim H, Shin SY, Holly D, Massett MP, Woodman CR. Heterogeneous effect of aging on vasorelaxation responses in large and small arteries. Physiol Rep 2020; 8:e14341. [PMID: 31960593 PMCID: PMC6971410 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Aging is associated with impaired vascular function characterized in part by attenuated vasorelaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Due to structural and functional differences between conduit and resistance arteries, the effect of aging on vasorelaxation responses may vary along the arterial tree. Our purpose was to determine age-related differences in vasorelaxation responses in large and small arteries. Responses to the endothelium-dependent vasodilator acetylcholine (ACh) and the endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were assessed in abdominal aorta (AA), iliac arteries (IA), femoral arteries (FA), and gastrocnemius feed arteries (GFA) from young and old male rats. ACh-mediated vasorelaxation was significantly impaired in old AA and IA. SNP-mediated vasorelaxation was impaired in old AA. To investigate a potential mechanism for impaired relaxation responses in AA and IA, we assessed eNOS protein content and interactions with caveolin-1 (Cav-1), and calmodulin (CaM) via immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analysis. We found no age differences in eNOS content or interactions with Cav1 and CaM. Combined data from all rats revealed that eNOS content was higher in IA compared to AA and FA (p < .001), and was higher in GFA than AA (p < .05). Cav1:eNOS interaction was greater in FA than in AA and IA (p < .01), and in GFA compared to IA (p < .05). No differences in CaM:eNOS were detected. In conclusion, age-related impairment of vasorelaxation responses occurred in the large conduit, but not small conduit or resistance arteries. These detrimental effects of age were not associated with changes in eNOS or its interactions with Cav-1 or CaM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Luttrell
- Department of Health & KinesiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
| | - Hyoseon Kim
- Department of Health & KinesiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
- Present address:
Department of Kinesiology and Sport ManagementTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTexas
| | - Song Yi Shin
- Department of Health & KinesiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
| | - Dylan Holly
- Department of Health & KinesiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
| | - Michael P. Massett
- Department of Health & KinesiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
- Present address:
Department of Kinesiology and Sport ManagementTexas Tech UniversityLubbockTexas
| | - Christopher R. Woodman
- Department of Health & KinesiologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
- Department of Veterinary Physiology & PharmacologyTexas A&M UniversityCollege StationTexas
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