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Krause BJ, Paz AA, Garrud TAC, Peñaloza E, Vega-Tapia F, Ford SG, Niu Y, Giussani DA. Epigenetic regulation by hypoxia, N-acetylcysteine and hydrogen sulphide of the fetal vasculature in growth restricted offspring: A study in humans and chicken embryos. J Physiol 2024; 602:3833-3852. [PMID: 38985827 DOI: 10.1113/jp286266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a common outcome in human suboptimal gestation and is related to prenatal origins of cardiovascular dysfunction in offspring. Despite this, therapy of human translational potential has not been identified. Using human umbilical and placental vessels and the chicken embryo model, we combined cellular, molecular, and functional studies to determine whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) protect cardiovascular function in growth-restricted unborn offspring. In human umbilical and placental arteries from control or FGR pregnancy and in vessels from near-term chicken embryos incubated under normoxic or hypoxic conditions, we determined the expression of the H2S gene CTH (i.e. cystathionine γ-lyase) (via quantitative PCR), the production of H2S (enzymatic activity), the DNA methylation profile (pyrosequencing) and vasodilator reactivity (wire myography) in the presence and absence of NAC treatment. The data show that FGR and hypoxia increased CTH expression in the embryonic/fetal vasculature in both species. NAC treatment increased aortic CTH expression and H2S production and enhanced third-order femoral artery dilator responses to the H2S donor sodium hydrosulphide in chicken embryos. NAC treatment also restored impaired endothelial relaxation in human third-to-fourth order chorionic arteries from FGR pregnancies and in third-order femoral arteries from hypoxic chicken embryos. This NAC-induced protection against endothelial dysfunction in hypoxic chicken embryos was mediated via nitric oxide independent mechanisms. Both developmental hypoxia and NAC promoted vascular changes in CTH DNA and NOS3 methylation patterns in chicken embryos. Combined, therefore, the data support that the effects of NAC and H2S offer a powerful mechanism of human translational potential against fetal cardiovascular dysfunction in complicated pregnancy. KEY POINTS: Gestation complicated by chronic fetal hypoxia and fetal growth restriction (FGR) increases a prenatal origin of cardiovascular disease in offspring, increasing interest in antenatal therapy to prevent against a fetal origin of cardiovascular dysfunction. We investigated the effects between N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in the vasculature in FGR human pregnancy and in chronically hypoxic chicken embryos. Combining cellular, molecular, epigenetic and functional studies, we show that the vascular expression and synthesis of H2S is enhanced in hypoxic and FGR unborn offspring in both species and this acts to protect their vasculature. Therefore, the NAC/H2S pathway offers a powerful therapeutic mechanism of human translational potential against fetal cardiovascular dysfunction in complicated pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernardo J Krause
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Adolfo A Paz
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Tessa A C Garrud
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Estefanía Peñaloza
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Fabian Vega-Tapia
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sage G Ford
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Youguo Niu
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Dino A Giussani
- Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- BHF Cardiovascular Centre for Research Excellence, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Strategic Research Initiative in Reproduction, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Souza-Paula E, Polonio LCC, Zochio GP, da Silva KP, Kushima H, Dias-Junior CA. Anticontractile Effect of Perivascular Adipose Tissue But Not of Endothelium Is Enhanced by Hydrogen Sulfide Stimulation in Hypertensive Pregnant Rat Aortae. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2021; 76:715-729. [PMID: 32976209 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000000917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) modulates the vascular tone. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is synthetized by cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE) in brown PVAT. Modulation of vascular contractility by H2S is, in part, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channels dependent. However, the role of PVAT-derived H2S in hypertensive pregnancy (HTN-Preg) is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to examine the involvement of H2S in the anticontractile effect of PVAT in aortae from normotensive and hypertensive pregnant rats. To this end, phenylephrine-induced contractions in the presence and absence of PVAT and endothelium in aortae from normotensive pregnant (Norm-Preg) and HTN-Preg rats were investigated. Maternal blood pressure, fetal-placental parameters, angiogenesis-related biomarkers, and H2S levels were also assessed. We found that circulating H2S is elevated in hypertensive pregnancy associated with angiogenic imbalance, fetal and placental growth restrictions, which revealed that there is H2S pathway activation. Moreover, under stimulated H2S formation PVAT, but not endothelium, reduced phenylephrine-induced contractions in aortae from HTN-Preg rats. Also, H2S synthesis inhibitor abolished anticontractile effects of PVAT and endothelium. Furthermore, anticontractile effect of PVAT, but not of endothelium, was eliminated by ATP-sensitive potassium channels blocker. In accordance, increases in H2S levels in PVAT and placenta, but not in aortae without PVAT, were also observed. In conclusion, anticontractile effect of PVAT is lost, at least in part, in HTN-Preg aortae and PVAT effect is ATP-sensitive potassium channels dependent in normotensive and hypertensive pregnant rat aortae. PVAT but not endothelium is responsive to the H2S stimulation in hypertensive pregnant rat aortae, implying a key role for PVAT-derived H2S under endothelial dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edileia Souza-Paula
- Department of Pharmacology, Biosciences Institute of Botucatu, Sao Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Huang YQ, Jin HF, Zhang H, Tang CS, Du JB. Interaction among Hydrogen Sulfide and Other Gasotransmitters in Mammalian Physiology and Pathophysiology. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1315:205-236. [PMID: 34302694 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-0991-6_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) were previously considered as toxic gases, but now they are found to be members of mammalian gasotransmitters family. Both H2S and SO2 are endogenously produced in sulfur-containing amino acid metabolic pathway in vivo. The enzymes catalyzing the formation of H2S are mainly CBS, CSE, and 3-MST, and the key enzymes for SO2 production are AAT1 and AAT2. Endogenous NO is produced from L-arginine under catalysis of three isoforms of NOS (eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS). HO-mediated heme catabolism is the main source of endogenous CO. These four gasotransmitters play important physiological and pathophysiological roles in mammalian cardiovascular, nervous, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and immune systems. The similarity among these four gasotransmitters can be seen from the same and/or shared signals. With many studies on the biological effects of gasotransmitters on multiple systems, the interaction among H2S and other gasotransmitters has been gradually explored. H2S not only interacts with NO to form nitroxyl (HNO), but also regulates the HO/CO and AAT/SO2 pathways. Here, we review the biosynthesis and metabolism of the gasotransmitters in mammals, as well as the known complicated interactions among H2S and other gasotransmitters (NO, CO, and SO2) and their effects on various aspects of cardiovascular physiology and pathophysiology, such as vascular tension, angiogenesis, heart contractility, and cardiac protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Qian Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Fang Jin
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Heng Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Chao-Shu Tang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Jun-Bao Du
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Imbalance of Homocysteine and H 2S: Significance, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Promise in Vascular Injury. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:7629673. [PMID: 31885816 PMCID: PMC6893243 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7629673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
While the role of hyperhomocysteinemia in cardiovascular pathogenesis continuously draws attention, deficiency of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been growingly implicated in cardiovascular diseases. Generation of H2S is closely associated with the metabolism of homocysteine via key enzymes such as cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE). The level of homocysteine and H2S is regulated by each other. Metabolic switch in the activity of CBS and CSE may occur with a resultant operating preference change of these enzymes in homocysteine and H2S metabolism. This paper presented an overview regarding (1) linkage between the metabolism of homocysteine and H2S, (2) mutual regulation of homocysteine and H2S, (3) imbalance of homocysteine and H2S in cardiovascular disorders, (4) mechanisms underlying the protective effect of H2S against homocysteine-induced vascular injury, and (5) the current status of homocysteine-lowering and H2S-based therapies for cardiovascular disease. The metabolic imbalance of homocysteine and H2S renders H2S/homocysteine ratio a potentially reliable biomarker for cardiovascular disease and development of drugs or interventions targeting the interplay between homocysteine and H2S to maintain the endogenous balance of these two molecules may hold an even bigger promise for management of vascular disorders than targeting homocysteine or H2S alone.
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Mitidieri E, Gurgone D, Caiazzo E, Tramontano T, Cicala C, Sorrentino R, d'Emmanuele di Villa Bianca R. L-cysteine/cystathionine-β-synthase-induced relaxation in mouse aorta involves a L-serine/sphingosine-1-phosphate/NO pathway. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 177:734-744. [PMID: 30835815 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Among the three enzymes involved in the transsulfuration pathway, only cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) converts L-cysteine into L-serine and H2 S. L-serine is also involved in the de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis through a condensation with palmitoyl-CoA by the action of serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT). Here, we have investigated if L-serine contributes to the vasorelaxant effect. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The presence of CBS in mouse vascular endothelium was assessed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The relaxant activity of L-serine (0.1-300 μM) and L-cysteine (0.1-300 μM) was estimated on mouse aorta rings, with or without endothelium. A pharmacological modulation study evaluated NO and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) involvement. Levels of NO and S1P were also measured following incubation of aorta tissue with either L-serine (1, 10, and 100 μM) or L-cysteine (10, 100 μM, and 1 mM). KEY RESULTS L-serine relaxed aorta rings in an endothelium-dependent manner. The vascular effect was reduced by L-NG-nitro-arginine methyl ester and wortmaninn. A similar pattern was obtained with L-cysteine. The S1P1 receptor antagonist (W146) or the SPT inhibitor (myriocin) reduced either L-serine or L-cysteine relaxant effect. L-serine or L-cysteine incubation increased NO and S1P levels in mouse aorta. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS L-serine, a by-product formed within the transsulfuration pathway starting from L-cysteine via CBS, contributes to the vasodilator action of L-cysteine. The L-serine effect involves both NO and S1P. This mechanism could be involved in the marked dysregulation of vascular tone in hyperhomocysteinemic patients (CBS deficiency) and may represent a feasible therapeutic target. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Hydrogen Sulfide in Biology & Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v177.4/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Mitidieri
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Danila Gurgone
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Caiazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Teresa Tramontano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Cicala
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Sorrentino
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Lee SR, Nilius B, Han J. Gaseous Signaling Molecules in Cardiovascular Function: From Mechanisms to Clinical Translation. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2018; 174:81-156. [PMID: 29372329 DOI: 10.1007/112_2017_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and nitric oxide (NO) constitute endogenous gaseous molecules produced by specific enzymes. These gases are chemically simple, but exert multiple effects and act through shared molecular targets to control both physiology and pathophysiology in the cardiovascular system (CVS). The gases act via direct and/or indirect interactions with each other in proteins such as heme-containing enzymes, the mitochondrial respiratory complex, and ion channels, among others. Studies of the major impacts of CO, H2S, and NO on the CVS have revealed their involvement in controlling blood pressure and in reducing cardiac reperfusion injuries, although their functional roles are not limited to these conditions. In this review, the basic aspects of CO, H2S, and NO, including their production and effects on enzymes, mitochondrial respiration and biogenesis, and ion channels are briefly addressed to provide insight into their biology with respect to the CVS. Finally, potential therapeutic applications of CO, H2S, and NO with the CVS are addressed, based on the use of exogenous donors and different types of delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung Ryul Lee
- Department of Convergence Biomedical Science, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Center, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Bernd Nilius
- Laboratory of Ion Channel Research, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jin Han
- National Research Laboratory for Mitochondrial Signaling, Department of Physiology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, BK21 Plus Project Team, Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease Center, Inje University, Busan, Republic of Korea.
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The mechanism of action and role of hydrogen sulfide in the control of vascular tone. Nitric Oxide 2017; 81:75-87. [PMID: 29097155 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our knowledge about hydrogen sulfide (H2S) significantly changed over the last two decades. Today it is considered as not only a toxic gas but also as a gasotransmitter with diverse roles in different physiological and pathophysiological processes. H2S has pleiotropic effects and its possible mechanisms of action involve (1) a reversible protein sulfhydration which can alter the function of the modified proteins similar to nitrosylation or phosphorylation; (2) direct antioxidant effects and (3) interaction with metalloproteins. Its effects on the human cardiovascular system are especially important due to the high prevalence of hypertension and myocardial infarction. The exact molecular targets that affect the vascular tone include the KATP channel, the endothelial nitric oxide synthase, the phosphodiesterase of the vascular smooth muscle cell and the cytochrome c oxidase among others and the combination of all these effects lead to the final result on the vascular tone. The relative role of each effect depends immensely on the used concentration and also on the used donor molecules but several other factors and experimental conditions could alter the final effect. The aim of the current review is to give a comprehensive summary of the current understanding on the mechanism of action and role of H2S in the regulation of vascular tone and to outline the obstacles that hinder the better understanding of its effects.
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