Vascular mitogen-activated protein kinase activity is enhanced via angiotensin system in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Cellular mediators of renal vascular dysfunction in hypertension

The renal vasculature plays a major role in the regulation of renal blood flow and the ability of the kidney to control the plasma volume and blood pressure. Renal vascular dysfunction is associated with renal vasoconstriction, decreased renal blood flow, and consequent increase in plasma volume and has been demonstrated in several forms of hypertension (HTN), including genetic and salt-sensitive HTN. Several predisposing factors and cellular mediators have been implicated, but the relationship between their actions on the renal vasculature and the consequent effects on renal tubular function in the setting of HTN is not clearly defined. Gene mutations/defects in an ion channel, a membrane ion transporter, and/or a regulatory enzyme in the nephron and renal vasculature may be a primary cause of renal vascular dysfunction. Environmental risk factors, such as high dietary salt intake, vascular inflammation, and oxidative stress further promote renal vascular dysfunction. Renal endothelial cell dysfunction is manifested as a decrease in the release of vasodilatory mediators, such as nitric oxide, prostacyclin, and hyperpolarizing factors, and/or an increase in vasoconstrictive mediators, such as endothelin, angiotensin II, and thromboxane A(2). Also, an increase in the amount/activity of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, protein kinase C, Rho kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinase in vascular smooth muscle promotes renal vasoconstriction. Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors could also modify the composition of the extracellular matrix and lead to renal vascular remodeling. Synergistic interactions between the genetic and environmental risk factors on the cellular mediators of renal vascular dysfunction cause persistent renal vasoconstriction, increased renal vascular resistance, and decreased renal blood flow, and, consequently, lead to a disturbance in the renal control mechanisms of water and electrolyte balance, increased plasma volume, and HTN. Targeting the underlying genetic defects, environmental risk factors, and the aberrant renal vascular mediators involved should provide complementary strategies in the management of HTN.

Basal transcriptional regulation of rat AT1 angiotensin II receptor gene expression

1. Angiotensin II AT1A receptors are thought to play an important role in the development of hypertension. The transcriptional factor Sp1 is a ubiquitous transcriptional factor associated with GC-rich promoters and involved in basal promoter activity. 2. To examine basal transcriptional levels regulation of the rat AT1A receptor gene, we determined whether two GC-box-related regions within 100 bp of the rat AT1A receptor gene promoter are involved in the basal expression of the gene in A10 cells, a vascular smooth muscle cell line. 3. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay demonstrated that incubation of the -98/-79 region and -58/-34 region sequence oligonucleotides with nuclear extracts of rat hypothalamus, liver and adrenal formed DNA-protein complexes and that the addition of unlabelled oligonucleotides containing the Sp1 consensus sequence blocked the formation of the DNA-protein complex. The addition of antibody against Sp1 also blocked the formation of the DNA-protein complex. 4. The promoter/luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that the reporter activity of AT1A receptor promoters mutated either within the -98/-79 or the -58/-34 region was lower than that of intact AT1A receptor promoters. 5. The promoter activity of AT1A receptor promoters mutated within those two regions was lower than that of promoters mutated within either the -98/-79 or the -58/-34 region. 6. These findings suggest that GC-box-regulated sequences within the -98/-79 region and the -58/-34 region are additively involved in basal expression level of the AT1A receptor gene in A10 cells.

AT2 receptors attenuate AT1 receptor-induced phospholipase D activation in vascular smooth muscle cells

Previous studies indicate that angiotensin (AT)(1) receptor-induced activation of phospholipase D (PLD) may importantly contribute to vascular hypertrophy, injury, and contraction. However, the role of AT(2) receptors in regulating AT(1) receptor-induced PLD activation is unknown. In this study, we identified angiotensin II receptors on cultured preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells (PGSMCs) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and binding assays and examined their functional effects on angiotensin II-mediated PLD activity. Both RT-PCR and binding indicated that cultured SHR and WKY PGSMCs expressed AT(1) and AT(2) receptors, and the combined total of AT(1) and AT(2) receptors was similar between the strains. However, the number of AT(1) and AT(2) receptors differed between SHR and WKY PGSMCs in so much as the ratio of AT(1) to AT(2) receptors was approximately 1 to 1 and 3 to 1 in WKY and SHR PGSMCs, respectively. As previously reported, angiotensin II more potently activated PLD in SHR PGSMCs (SHR EC(50) = 4 nM; WKY EC(50) = 47 nM). Addition of an AT(2) receptor-specific antagonist or agonist shifted the angiotensin II-mediated PLD concentration-response curve of WKY PGSMCs in a manner consistent with AT(2) receptors producing an inhibitory signal. In contrast, in SHR little change was observed. Our findings indicate that the ratio of AT(1) to AT(2) receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells may be a determinant of the net effects of angiotensin II on PLD activity due to AT(2)-dependent inhibition of AT(1)-mediated PLD activity. Furthermore, cultured WKY PGSMCs provide an excellent model system to study endogenous AT(2) receptor signal transduction.

Existence of a mutation of angiotensin AT1 receptor gene promoter region involved in inhibition of AT1 receptor gene transcription in spontaneously hypertensive rats

The angiotensin type 1a (AT1a) receptor gene is overexpressed in the brain and peripheral tissues of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). We examined whether there are mutations responsible for overexpression of the AT1a receptor gene in the SHR AT1a receptor promoter region. Genomic DNA was extracted from the livers of SHR and Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) of Izumo strain (SHR/Izm and WKY/Izm, respectively). Fragments of the AT1a receptor gene promoter region were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplified fragments were purified by agarose gel electrophoresis, and the purified fragments were cloned using pTBlue T-Vector. Sequence analysis identified one single base mutation unique to the SHR AT1a receptor gene promoter region when compared to that of WKY. The sequence of the mutation site in SHR was the same as that of Sprague Dawley rats. Using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay, we compared gel patterns formed by DNA-protein complexes using ds-oligonucleotides representing region-1624 to-1595 of the SHR and WKY AT1a receptor promoters. There were 3 major similar DNA-protein complexes against WKY and SHR oligonucleotides. In addition, the oligonucleotide bearing the SHR sequence produced an extra band. Promoter/luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that the promoter activity of SHR AT1a receptor promoters (-2050 to +57) was lower than that of WKY. These results suggest that there is one single mutation unique to the SHR AT1a receptor gene promoter region, but that the mutation is not responsible for overexpression of the AT1 a receptor gene in SHR.

Antisense to epidermal growth factor receptor prevents the development of left ventricular hypertrophy

We previously demonstrated that left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) induced by angiotensin II infusion requires epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation to mediate the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway. To test whether the EGFR-mediated MAPK/ERK activation plays an important role in development and maintenance of LVH in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), we investigated the effects of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to EGFR (EGFR-AS) on LVH and blood pressure in young and adult SHR. EGFR-AS, sense oligonucleotide to EGFR (EGFR-S; 1.5 mg/kg), or vehicle control (5% dextrose) with liposome was injected once a week for 2 months in 5- or 13-week-old SHR. The effect of EGFR-AS on the expression of EGFR and phosphorylated ERK in the heart were examined by Western blots. After treatment, EGFR-AS significantly (P<0.05) decreased left ventricular weight/body weight and blood pressure in young SHR compared with EGFR-S or control-treated rats. In adult SHR, EGFR-AS did not affect left ventricular weight/body weight and blood pressure. EGFR and phosphorylated ERK significantly declined from 5 to 20 weeks (P<0.05). EGFR-AS, but not EGFR-S, significantly (P<0.05) decreased the expression of EGFR and phosphorylated ERK in young SHR, but had no significant effect in adult SHR. These results suggests that EGFR-mediated ERK activation is critically important for LVH in young SHR. This may be related to the high levels of EGFR and phosphorylated ERK in young SHR, suggesting a critical role of the EGFR-activated ERK pathway in cardiovascular development but not in the maintenance of established LVH in adult SHR.

Role of EGFR transactivation in angiotensin II signaling to extracellular regulated kinase in preglomerular smooth muscle cells

Angiotensin (Ang) II promotes the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK); however, the mechanisms leading to Ang II-induced ERK phosphorylation are debated. The currently accepted theory involves transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). We have shown that generation of phosphatidic acid (PA) is required for the recruitment of Raf to membranes and the activation of ERK by multiple agonists, including Ang II. In the present report, we confirm that phospholipase D-dependent generation of PA is required for Ang II-mediated phosphorylation of ERK in Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rat preglomerular smooth muscle cells (PGSMCs). However, EGF stimulation does not activate phospholipase D or generate PA. These observations indicate that EGF recruits Raf to membranes via a mechanism that does not involve PA, and thus, Ang II-mediated phosphorylation of ERK is partially independent of EGFR-mediated signaling cascades. We hypothesized that phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) can also act to recruit Raf to membranes; therefore, inhibition of PI3K should inhibit EGF signaling to ERK. Wortmannin, a PI3K inhibitor, inhibited EGF-mediated phosphorylation of ERK (IC50, approximately 14 nmol/L). To examine the role of the EGFR in Ang II-mediated phosphorylation of ERK we utilized 100 nmol/L wortmannin to inhibit EGFR signaling to ERK and T19N RhoA to block Ang II-mediated ERK phosphorylation. Wortmannin treatment inhibited EGF-mediated but not Ang II-mediated phosphorylation of ERK. Furthermore, T19N RhoA inhibited Ang II-mediated ERK phosphorylation, whereas T19N RhoA had significantly less effect on EGF-mediated ERK phosphorylation. We conclude that transactivation of the EGFR is not primarily responsible for Ang II-mediated activation of ERK in PGSMCs.

Different roles of PKC and MAP kinases in arteriolar constrictions to pressure and agonists

Protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases have been implicated in the modulation of agonist-induced contractions of large vessels. However, their role in pressure- and agonist-induced constrictions of skeletal muscle arterioles, which have a major role in regulating peripheral resistance, is not clearly elucidated. Thus constrictions of isolated rat gracilis muscle arterioles (approximately 80 microm in diameter) to increases in intraluminal pressure and to norepinephrine (NE) or angiotensin II (ANG II) were assessed in the absence or presence of chelerythrine, PD-98058, and SB-203580 (inhibitors of PKC, p42/44 and p38 MAP kinase pathways, respectively). Arteriolar constriction to NE and ANG II were significantly reduced by chelerythrine (by approximately 90%) and unaffected by SB-203580, whereas PD-98058 decreased only ANG II-induced constrictions (by approximately 60%). Pressure-induced increases in wall tension (from 0.1 to 0.7 N/m) resulted in significant arteriolar constrictions (50% maximum) that were abolished by chelerythrine without altering smooth muscle intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) (fura 2 microfluorimetry). PD-98058 and SB-203580 significantly decreased the magnitude of myogenic tone (by 20% and 60%, respectively) and reduced the sensitivity of the myogenic mechanism to wall tension, causing a significant rightward shift in the wall tension-myogenic tone relationship without affecting smooth muscle [Ca(2+)i]. MAP kinases were demonstrated with Western blotting. Thus in skeletal muscle arterioles 1) PKC is involved in both myogenic and agonist-induced constrictions, 2) PD-98058-sensitive p42/44 MAP kinases modulate both wall tension-dependent and ANG II-induced constrictions, whereas 3) a SB-203580-sensitive p38 MAP kinase pathway seems to be specifically involved in the mechanotransduction of wall tension.

Altered mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. We previously reported that activation function of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) is enhanced in aorta strips from both prehypertensive and hypertensive spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and that this enhancement of MAPK activation results from enhanced MAPK activation reactivity to angiotensin (Ang) II in SHR aorta strips. 2. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether the enhanced function of the vascular angiotensin system observed in SHR aorta strips results from genetic alterations of vascular smooth muscle cells from SHR. 3. Basal MAPK activity was within normal limits in cells from 4-week-old SHR, whereas enzyme activity was enhanced in 9-week-old SHR compared with age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. 4. Mitogen-activated protein kinase activation reactivity to AngII and endothelin-1 was enhanced in 9-week-old SHR cells but not in 4-week-old SHR cells. The enhancement of basal MAPK activity in 9-week-old SHR cells was abolished by a combination of the angiotensin AT(1) receptor antagonist losartan and the endothelin receptor antagonist BQ123. 5. These findings suggest that MAPK activation function in 4-week-old SHR cells is not enhanced. Thus, it appears that factors outside vascular smooth muscle cells are needed for the enhanced MAPK activation observed in 4-week-old SHR aorta strips. In 9-week-old SHR, MAPK activation function is enhanced in cells themselves and this function may, at least in part, contribute to the enhanced MAPK activation observed in SHR aorta strips.

Increased angiotensin II-mediated Src signaling via epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation is associated with decreased C-terminal Src kinase activity in vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats

We investigated whether upregulation of Src by Ang II leads to increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and whether these processes are associated with altered activation of C-terminal Src kinase (Csk), a negative regulator of Src. Furthermore, the role of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation by angiotensin II (Ang II) was determined. Ang II-mediated c-Src phosphorylation was significantly greater (approximately 4-fold, P<0.01) in SHR than in Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Ang II increased Csk phosphorylation 2-to 3-fold in WKY but not in SHR. Treatment of the cells with AG1478, a selective EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, decreased Ang II-mediated c-Src phosphorylation, particularly in SHR. Phosphorylation of cortactin and Pyk2/focal adhesion kinase, Src-specific substrates, was increased by Ang II >3-fold, with significantly greater responses in SHR than in WKY (P<0.05). Ang II-induced ERK1/2 activation was significantly augmented (P<0.05) and sustained in VSMCs from SHR. PP2, a selective Src inhibitor, attenuated these effects and normalized the responses in SHR. Irbesartan, a selective Ang II type 1 receptor blocker, but not PD123319, a selective Ang II type 2 receptor blocker, inhibited Ang II actions. Our results demonstrate that c-Src phosphorylation and Src-dependent ERK1/2 signaling by Ang II are increased in VSMCs from SHR. These processes are associated with blunted Ang II-induced phosphorylation of Csk. EGFR transactivation contributes to Ang II-mediated Src-dependent ERK1/2 signaling. In conclusion, altered regulation of Ang II type 1 receptor-activated c-Src by Csk may be an important upstream modulator of abnormal ERK1/2 signaling in VSMCs from SHR.

Altered PYK2 phosphorylation by ANG II in hypertensive vascular smooth muscle

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exhibit increased cell growth compared with normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). ANG II stimulates growth via G(q)-protein-coupled signaling that involves changes in cytosolic intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen-activated protein kinases. This study examines the role of the proline-rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2) in hypertensive VSMC. Basal PYK2 phosphorylation in SHR VSMC was increased compared with WKY (0.44 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.20 +/- 0.02-fold). ANG II-induced activation of PYK2 in SHR VSMC was of greater magnitude (2.2 +/- 0.2-fold in SHR; 1.4 +/- 0.1-fold in WKY) and occurred more rapidly (peak activation at 2 min in SHR vs. 5 min in WKY). This effect was blocked by pretreatment with the [Ca(2+)](i) chelator 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid or the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine. Basal and ANG II-stimulated c-Fos expression was increased in SHR versus WKY VSMC. PYK2 downregulation with antisense oligonucleotides blocked ANG II-induced c-Fos expression. Increased PYK2 activation may be altered signaling cascades that regulate cell growth in hypertensive VSMC.

Differential activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen activated-protein kinase by AT1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells from Wistar-Kyoto rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats

OBJECTIVES

The present study investigates effects of angiotensin II on activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2, p38 mitogen activated-protein kinase (p38MAPK) and c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) in vascular smooth muscle cells from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

METHODS

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from mesenteric arteries of Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and SHR were studied. Angiotensin II-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK and p38MAPK were assessed by Western blot analysis. c-fos mRNA expression by angiotensin II was determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in the absence and presence of PD98059, selective inhibitor of ERK1/2-dependent pathways and SB202190, selective p38MAPK inhibitor.

RESULTS

Angiotensin II increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38MAPK, but not JNK. Responses were significantly increased in SHR compared with WKY. Irbesartan, AT1 receptor antagonist, but not PD123319, AT2 receptor blocker, abolished angiotensin II-induced effects. PP2, selective Src inhibitor, decreased angiotensin II-mediated activation of MAP kinases. Angiotensin II increased c-fos mRNA expression in SHR and had a small stimulatory effect in WKY. These actions were inhibited by PD98059, whereas SB202190 had no effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Angiotensin II-induced activation of vascular ERK1/2 and p38MAPK is increased in SHR. These effects are mediated via AT1 receptors, which activate Src-dependent pathways. Overexpression of c-fos mRNA in SHR is due to ERK1/2-dependent, p38MAPK-independent pathways. Our results suggest that angiotensin II activates numerous MAP kinases in VSMCs and that differential activation of these kinases may be important in altered growth signaling in VSMCs from SHR.

Angiotensin II signaling to phospholipase D in renal microvascular smooth muscle cells in SHR

Angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced phospholipase D (PLD) activity is greater in aortic smooth muscle from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) versus normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Whether and how this signaling pathway is altered in preglomerular microvascular smooth muscle cells (PGSMCs), a cell type that may participate in genetic hypertension, is unknown. The goals of the present study were to determine in SHR and WKY PGSMCs the following: (1) whether Ang II induces PLD activity; (2) whether the effect of Ang II on PLD activity is greater in SHR; (3) which PLD isoform is stimulated by Ang II; (4) what signaling pathway mediates Ang II-induced PLD stimulation; and (5) whether the signaling pathways mediating Ang II-induced PLD activity are different in SHR and WKY. The EC(50) for Ang II-induced PLD stimulation in SHR was 10-fold lower than the EC(50) in WKY, and both were inhibited by L-158,805, an AT(1) antagonist. Inhibitors of phosphoinositol-3-kinase and protein kinase C did not block Ang II-induced PLD activity in SHR and WKY PGSMCs. Catalytically-inactive constructs of PLD2 and RhoA, but not PLD1, ADP ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1), ARF6, or ADP ribosylation factor nucleotide exchange factor (ARNO) blocked Ang II-induced PLD activity in SHR and WKY PGSMCs. Brefeldin A completely blocked Ang II-induced PLD activity in SHR but only slightly reduced Ang II-induced PLD activity in WKY PGSMCs. Therefore, we conclude that in PGSMCs, the effect of Ang II on PLD activity is (1) greater in SHR; (2) mediated by AT(1) receptors signaling to PLD2; (3) transduced primarily by Rho proteins; and (4) inhibited in SHR by brefeldin A.

Impaired ceramide signalling in spontaneously hypertensive rat vascular smooth muscle: a possible mechanism for augmented cell proliferation

OBJECTIVES

In hypertension, the vascular wall undergoes morphological changes that alter mechanical responses to vasoactive substances. Ceramide is a recently identified second messenger synthesized in response to cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). It has been previously demonstrated that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from genetically hypertensive rats proliferate at a higher rate than those of normotensive origin. We tested the hypothesis that the ceramide pathway is impaired in VSMC from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

DESIGN

VSMC were isolated from aortae of SHR and from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Ceramide levels were measured under baseline and agonist-stimulated conditions and cell proliferation was monitored.

METHODS

Cell proliferation was determined by cell counting. Ceramide levels were determined via radioactive labelling, high-performance thin-layer chromatography and phosphorimaging. Relative mRNA levels of neutral sphingomyelinase were determined using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS

Basal ceramide levels in untreated cells were lower in cells from SHR compared to WKY rats. During chronic treatment with TNF-alpha, ceramide levels increased in WKY rat cells but remained unchanged in cells from SHR. TNF-alpha treatment had an inhibitory effect on WKY rat VSMC proliferation, but stimulated proliferation in cells from SHR. Short-term incubation with TNF-alpha resulted in a greater increase in ceramide in cells from WKY rats than those from SHR. Semiquantitative PCR analysis indicated that neutral sphingomyelinase mRNA may be reduced in SHR VSMC.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that ceramide synthesis is impaired in vascular smooth muscle from SHR and may contribute to increased VSMC proliferation in hypertension.

Different activation of vascular mitogen-activated protein kinases in spontaneously and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats

Regulation mechanisms of the activity of vascular mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, enzymes believed to be involved in the pathway for cell proliferation, may be altered in hypertension. To examine whether vascular MAP kinase activation mechanisms are altered in hypertension, we measured the activity of MAP kinases in rat aorta strips from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and from deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats, and examined whether vascular angiotensin and endothelin systems are responsible for the alteration of MAP kinase activation in these hypertensive models. Endothelium-denuded aorta strips were incubated at 37 degrees C in medium. MAP kinase activity after incubation was increased in rat aorta strips. The MAP kinase activation was greater in 9- and 15-week-old SHR aorta strips than in age-matched Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) aorta strips. Similarly, MAP kinase activation was enhanced in aorta strips from DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. In aorta strips from these kinds of rats, the angiotensin receptor antagonist, losartan, and the endothelin receptor antagonist, cyclo (D-alpha-aspartyl-L-prolyl-D-valyl-L-leucyl-D-tryptophyl) (BQ123), inhibited the MAP kinase activation. The losartan-induced, but not BQ123-induced, inhibition of MAP kinase activation was enhanced in 15-week-old SHR aorta strips, whereas the BQ123-induced, but not losartan-induced, inhibition of MAP kinase activation was enhanced in DOCA-salt hypertensive rat aorta strips. Angiotensin II-induced MAP kinase activation was enhanced in 15-week-old SHR aorta strips, whereas it was depressed in DOCA-salt hypertensive rat aorta strips. These results indicate that MAP kinase activation function is enhanced in aorta strips from both kinds of hypertensive rats. It appears that the enhancement of MAP kinase activation results partly from enhanced vascular angiotensin system in SHR and from enhanced vascular endothelin system in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.

Angiotensin II mediates pressure loading-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in isolated rat aorta

Vascular hypertrophy occurs during chronic hypertension and contributes to the elevation of peripheral vascular resistance in hypertension. In this study, we examined whether acute pressure overloading of the vascular wall produces activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases, enzymes believed to be involved in the pathway for cell proliferation, in isolated perfused rat aortae, and examined whether the mechanical overloading-induced MAP kinase activation is mediated via the vascular angiotensin system. Aortae were perfused with Tyrode solution. Increases in perfusion pressure caused a pressure-dependent increase in MAP kinase activity in endothelium-intact aortae and in endothelium-denuded aortae. The increase in MAP kinase activity induced by pressure loading was inhibited by the angiotensin receptor antagonist, losartan, the renin inhibitor, pepstatin A, and the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril. Ca(2+) depletion and the Ca(2+) channel antagonist, nifedipine, did not affect the pressure loading-induced MAP kinase activation. The results of the present study suggest that pressure loading of the vascular wall per se can activate MAP kinases in the vasculature and that the MAP kinase activation is mediated at least partly via the vascular angiotensin system. It seems unlikely that the pressure loading-induced increase in MAP kinase activity is mainly mediated via increases in Ca(2+) influx in vascular cells.