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Kintos DP, Salagiannis K, Sgouros A, Nikolaropoulos SS, Topouzis S, Fousteris MA. Identification of new multi-substituted 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-7(6H)-ones as soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) stimulators with vasoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. Bioorg Chem 2024; 144:107170. [PMID: 38335755 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Herein, we describe the rational design, synthesis and in vitro functional characterization of new heme-dependent, direct soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) agonists. These new compounds bear a 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-7(6H)-one skeleton, modified to enable efficient sGC binding and stimulation. To gain insights into structure-activity relationships, the N6-alkylation of the skeleton was explored, while a pyrimidine ring, substituted with various C5'-polar groups, was installed at position C3. Among the newly synthesized 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-7(6H)-ones, derivatives 14b, 15b and 16a display characteristic features of sGC "stimulators" in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro. They strongly synergize with the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in inducing cGMP generation in a manner that requires the presence of a reduced heme moiety associated with sGC, and elevate the cGMP-responsive phosphorylation of the protein VASP at Ser239. In line with their sGC stimulating capacity, docking calculations of derivatives 16a, 15(a-c) on a cryo-EM structure of human sGC (hsGC) in an ΝΟ-activated state indicated the implication of 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridin-7(6H)-one skeleton in efficient bonding interactions with the recently identified region that binds known sGC stimulators, while the presence of either a N6-H or N6-methyl group pointed to enhanced binding affinity. Moreover, the in vitro functional effects of our newly identified sGC stimulators were compatible with a beneficial role in vascular homeostasis. Specifically, derivative 14b reduced A7r5 cell proliferation, while 16a dampened the expression of adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and P/E-Selectin in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs), as well as the subsequent adhesion of U937 leukocytes to the HUVECs, triggered by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). The fact that these compounds elevate cGMP only in the presence of NO may indicate a novel way of interaction with the enzyme and may make them less prone than other direct sGC agonists to induce characteristic hypotension in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konstantinos Salagiannis
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, GR-26500, Greece
| | - Antonis Sgouros
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, GR-26500, Greece
| | - Sotiris S Nikolaropoulos
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, GR-26500, Greece
| | - Stavros Topouzis
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, GR-26500, Greece.
| | - Manolis A Fousteris
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, GR-26500, Greece.
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Lawitz EJ, Reiberger T, Schattenberg JM, Schoelch C, Coxson HO, Wong D, Ertle J. Safety and pharmacokinetics of BI 685509, a soluble guanylyl cyclase activator, in patients with cirrhosis: A randomized Phase Ib study. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0276. [PMID: 37889522 PMCID: PMC10615399 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Portal hypertension is a severe complication of cirrhosis. This Phase Ib study (NCT03842761) assessed the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of soluble guanylyl cyclase activator BI 685509 in patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh [CP] A or B cirrhosis) and healthy volunteers (HVs). METHODS In this single-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study, patients received BI 685509 (maximum doses: 1, 2, or 3 mg, twice daily [BID]) or placebo for 28 days. HVs received one 0.5 mg dose of BI 685509 or placebo. RESULTS In total, 64 participants (CP-A, n=24; CP-B, n=25; HVs, n=15) were included; most commonly with NAFLD (36.7%), alcohol-associated (30.6%), or chronic viral hepatitis-related cirrhosis (28.6%). In patients with CP-A cirrhosis, drug-related adverse events (AEs) occurred in 5.6% of BI 685509-treated patients and 16.7% of placebo recipients. In patients with CP-B cirrhosis, drug-related AEs occurred in 26.3% of BI 685509-treated patients only. No serious AEs occurred in patients with CP-A cirrhosis; in patients with CP-B cirrhosis, serious AEs (not drug-related) occurred in 10.5% of BI 685509-treated patients and 16.7% of patients receiving placebo. BI 685509 was rapidly absorbed; exposure increased with dosage and was similar between etiologies and between patients with CP-A cirrhosis and patients with CP-A cirrhosis but lower in HVs. The mean percentage portal-systemic shunt fraction was measured in patients with CP-A cirrhosis and decreased at the end of treatment in the 2 mg BID (-11.2 ± 11.9%) and 3 mg BID (-14.0 ± 8.4%) BI 685509 dose groups, but not in the placebo group (+1.0 ± 27.3%). CONCLUSION BI 685509 was generally well tolerated, with 3 serious, not drug-related AEs reported in patients with CP-B cirrhosis. In patients with CP-A cirrhosis, portal-systemic shunt fraction in the exploratory efficacy analysis was reduced by 2 mg BID and 3 mg BID BI 685509.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Lawitz
- The Texas Liver Institute, University of Texas Health, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas Reiberger
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Portal Hypertension and Liver Fibrosis, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jörn M. Schattenberg
- Metabolic Liver Research Program, I. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany
| | | | | | - Diane Wong
- Translational Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut, USA
| | - Judith Ertle
- Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany
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Martin E. NO signal. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:1178-1179. [PMID: 37710074 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01421-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Emil Martin
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
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Mollace R, Scarano F, Bava I, Carresi C, Maiuolo J, Tavernese A, Gliozzi M, Musolino V, Muscoli S, Palma E, Muscoli C, Salvemini D, Federici M, Macrì R, Mollace V. Modulation of the nitric oxide/cGMP pathway in cardiac contraction and relaxation: Potential role in heart failure treatment. Pharmacol Res 2023; 196:106931. [PMID: 37722519 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Evidence exists that heart failure (HF) has an overall impact of 1-2 % in the global population being often associated with comorbidities that contribute to increased disease prevalence, hospitalization, and mortality. Recent advances in pharmacological approaches have significantly improved clinical outcomes for patients with vascular injury and HF. Nevertheless, there remains an unmet need to clarify the crucial role of nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (NO/cGMP) signalling in cardiac contraction and relaxation, to better identify the key mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of myocardial dysfunction both with reduced (HFrEF) as well as preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Indeed, NO signalling plays a crucial role in cardiovascular homeostasis and its dysregulation induces a significant increase in oxidative and nitrosative stress, producing anatomical and physiological cardiac alterations that can lead to heart failure. The present review aims to examine the molecular mechanisms involved in the bioavailability of NO and its modulation of downstream pathways. In particular, we focus on the main therapeutic targets and emphasize the recent evidence of preclinical and clinical studies, describing the different emerging therapeutic strategies developed to counteract NO impaired signalling and cardiovascular disease (CVD) development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocco Mollace
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Federica Scarano
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Irene Bava
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Cristina Carresi
- Veterinary Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Jessica Maiuolo
- Pharmaceutical Biology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Annamaria Tavernese
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Micaela Gliozzi
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Musolino
- Pharmaceutical Biology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Saverio Muscoli
- Division of Cardiology, Foundation PTV Polyclinic Tor Vergata, Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Veterinary Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Carolina Muscoli
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy
| | - Daniela Salvemini
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
| | - Massimo Federici
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
| | - Roberta Macrì
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Mollace
- Pharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health IRC-FSH, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro 88100, Italy; Renato Dulbecco Institute, Lamezia Terme, Catanzaro 88046, Italy.
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Olivencia MA, Gil de Biedma-Elduayen L, Giménez-Gómez P, Barreira B, Fernández A, Angulo J, Colado MI, O'Shea E, Perez-Vizcaino F. Oxidized soluble guanylyl cyclase causes erectile dysfunction in alcoholic mice. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2361-2376. [PMID: 37021655 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Alcohol abuse has been associated with erectile dysfunction (ED), but the implicated molecular mechanisms are unresolved. This study analyses the role of alterations in soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) in ED. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH ED was analysed in adult male C57BL/6J mice subjected to the Chronic Intermittent Ethanol (CIE) paradigm. Erectile function was assessed in anaesthetised mice in vivo by evaluating intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and in vitro in isolated mice corpora cavernosa (CC) mounted in a myograph. Protein expression and reactive oxygen species were analysed by western blot and dihydroethidium staining, respectively. KEY RESULTS In CIE mice, we observed a significant decrease in the relaxant response of the CC to stimulation of NO release from nitrergic nerves by electrical field stimulation, to NO release from endothelial cells by acetylcholine, to the PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil, and to the sGC stimulator riociguat. Conversely, the response to the sGC activator cinaciguat, whose action is independent of the oxidation state of sGC, was significantly enhanced in these CC. The responses to adenylyl cyclase stimulation with forskolin were unchanged. We found an increase in reactive oxygen species in the CC from CIE mice as well as an increase in CYP2E1 and NOX2 protein expression. In vivo pre-treatment with tempol prevented alcohol-induced erectile dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our results demonstrate that alcoholic mice show ED in vitro and in vivo due to an alteration in the redox state of sGC and suggest that sGC activators may be effective in ED associated with alcoholism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Olivencia
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Leticia Gil de Biedma-Elduayen
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Giménez-Gómez
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bianca Barreira
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Argentina Fernández
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Histología-Investigación, Unidad de Investigación Traslacional en Cardiología (IRYCIS-UFV), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Angulo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Histología-Investigación, Unidad de Investigación Traslacional en Cardiología (IRYCIS-UFV), Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Maria Isabel Colado
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther O'Shea
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- Red de Investigación en Atención Primaria de Adicciones del Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Investigación Neuroquímica (IUIN), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Perez-Vizcaino
- Departamento de Farmacologia y Toxicologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Enfermedades Respiratorias, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
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Friebe A, Kraehling JR, Russwurm M, Sandner P, Schmidtko A. The 10th International Conference on cGMP 2022: recent trends in cGMP research and development-meeting report. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 396:1669-1686. [PMID: 37079081 PMCID: PMC10338386 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02484-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Increasing cGMP is a unique therapeutic principle, and drugs inhibiting cGMP-degrading enzymes or stimulating cGMP production are approved for the treatment of various diseases such as erectile dysfunction, coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, chronic heart failure, irritable bowel syndrome, or achondroplasia. In addition, cGMP-increasing therapies are preclinically profiled or in clinical development for quite a broad set of additional indications, e.g., neurodegenerative diseases or different forms of dementias, bone formation disorders, underlining the pivotal role of cGMP signaling pathways. The fundamental understanding of the signaling mediated by nitric oxide-sensitive (soluble) guanylyl cyclase and membrane-associated receptor (particulate) guanylyl cyclase at the molecular and cellular levels, as well as in vivo, especially in disease models, is a key prerequisite to fully exploit treatment opportunities and potential risks that could be associated with an excessive increase in cGMP. Furthermore, human genetic data and the clinical effects of cGMP-increasing drugs allow back-translation into basic research to further learn about signaling and treatment opportunities. The biannual international cGMP conference, launched nearly 20 years ago, brings all these aspects together as an established and important forum for all topics from basic science to clinical research and pivotal clinical trials. This review summarizes the contributions to the "10th cGMP Conference on cGMP Generators, Effectors and Therapeutic Implications," which was held in Augsburg in 2022 but will also provide an overview of recent key achievements and activities in the field of cGMP research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Friebe
- Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Röntgenring 9, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jan R. Kraehling
- Pharmaceuticals, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, D-42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Michael Russwurm
- Institute of Pharmacology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Peter Sandner
- Pharmaceuticals, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, Bayer AG, Aprather Weg 18a, D-42096 Wuppertal, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, D-30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Achim Schmidtko
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, Max-Von-Laue-Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
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Jones AK, Chen H, Ng KJ, Villalona J, McHugh M, Zeveleva S, Wilks J, Brilisauer K, Bretschneider T, Qian HS, Fryer RM. Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Activator BI 685509 Reduces Portal Hypertension and Portosystemic Shunting in a Rat Thioacetamide-Induced Cirrhosis Model. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2023; 386:70-79. [PMID: 37230799 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Portal hypertension (PT) commonly occurs in cirrhosis. Nitric oxide (NO) imbalance contributes to PT via reduced soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) activation and cGMP production, resulting in vasoconstriction, endothelial cell dysfunction, and fibrosis. We assessed the effects of BI 685509, an NO-independent sGC activator, on fibrosis and extrahepatic complications in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced cirrhosis and PT model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats received TAA twice-weekly for 15 weeks (300-150 mg/kg i.p.). BI 685509 was administered daily for the last 12 weeks (0.3, 1, and 3 mg/kg p.o.; n = 8-11 per group) or the final week only (Acute, 3 mg/kg p.o.; n = 6). Rats were anesthetized to measure portal venous pressure. Pharmacokinetics and hepatic cGMP (target engagement) were measured by mass spectrometry. Hepatic Sirius Red morphometry (SRM) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) were measured by immunohistochemistry; portosystemic shunting was measured using colored microspheres. BI 685509 dose-dependently increased hepatic cGMP at 1 and 3 mg/kg (3.92 ± 0.34 and 5.14 ± 0.44 versus 2.50 ± 0.19 nM in TAA alone; P < 0.05). TAA increased hepatic SRM, αSMA, PT, and portosystemic shunting. Compared with TAA, 3 mg/kg BI 685509 reduced SRM by 38%, αSMA area by 55%, portal venous pressure by 26%, and portosystemic shunting by 10% (P < 0.05). Acute BI 685509 reduced SRM and PT by 45% and 21%, respectively (P < 0.05). BI 685509 improved hepatic and extrahepatic cirrhosis pathophysiology in TAA-induced cirrhosis. These data support the clinical investigation of BI 685509 for PT in patients with cirrhosis. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: BI 685509 is an NO-independent sGC activator that was tested in a preclinical rat model of TAA-induced nodular, liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and portal systemic shunting. BI 685509 reduced liver fibrosis, portal hypertension, and portal-systemic shunting in a dose-dependent manner, supporting its clinical assessment to treat portal hypertension in patients with cirrhosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Jones
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Hongxing Chen
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Khing Jow Ng
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Jorge Villalona
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Mark McHugh
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Svetlana Zeveleva
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - James Wilks
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Klaus Brilisauer
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Tom Bretschneider
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Hu Sheng Qian
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
| | - Ryan M Fryer
- Department of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Ridgefield, Connecticut (A.K.J., H.C., K.J.N., J.V., M.M., S.Z., J.W., H.S.Q., R.M.F.); and Department of Drug Discovery Sciences, Discovery Science Technologies, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co., Biberach an der Riss, Germany (K.B., T.B.)
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Balzer MS, Pavkovic M, Frederick J, Abedini A, Freyberger A, Vienenkötter J, Mathar I, Siudak K, Eitner F, Sandner P, Grundmann M, Susztak K. Treatment effects of soluble guanylate cyclase modulation on diabetic kidney disease at single-cell resolution. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:100992. [PMID: 37023747 PMCID: PMC10140477 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.100992] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of renal failure. Therapeutics development is hampered by our incomplete understanding of animal models on a cellular level. We show that ZSF1 rats recapitulate human DKD on a phenotypic and transcriptomic level. Tensor decomposition prioritizes proximal tubule (PT) and stroma as phenotype-relevant cell types exhibiting a continuous lineage relationship. As DKD features endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and nitric oxide depletion, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) is a promising DKD drug target. sGC expression is specifically enriched in PT and stroma. In ZSF1 rats, pharmacological sGC activation confers considerable benefits over stimulation and is mechanistically related to improved oxidative stress regulation, resulting in enhanced downstream cGMP effects. Finally, we define sGC gene co-expression modules, which allow stratification of human kidney samples by DKD prevalence and disease-relevant measures such as kidney function, proteinuria, and fibrosis, underscoring the relevance of the sGC pathway to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Balzer
- Renal, Electrolyte, and Hypertension Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Nephrology and Medical Intensive Care, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program, 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mira Pavkovic
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Julia Frederick
- Renal, Electrolyte, and Hypertension Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Amin Abedini
- Renal, Electrolyte, and Hypertension Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alexius Freyberger
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Julia Vienenkötter
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ilka Mathar
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Krystyna Siudak
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Frank Eitner
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany; Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Sandner
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Manuel Grundmann
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Katalin Susztak
- Renal, Electrolyte, and Hypertension Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Institute for Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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9
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Liu H, O'Brien MW, Wu Y, Bustamante CM, Kimmerly DS. An acute bout of prolonged sitting blunts popliteal endothelium-independent dilation in young, healthy adults. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2023; 134:521-528. [PMID: 36656984 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00712.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
A single bout of prolonged uninterrupted sitting increases oxidative stress, reduces popliteal blood flow-induced shear stress, and diminishes endothelium-dependent, flow-mediated dilation (FMD). The FMD response is also influenced by the sensitivity of vascular smooth muscle cells to nitric oxide (i.e., endothelium-independent dilation), which is also attenuated by elevated oxidative stress. However, it is currently unknown whether prolonged sitting impacts popliteal endothelium-independent dilation responses, which may uncover a novel mechanism associated with sitting-induced vascular dysfunction. This study tested the hypothesis that prolonged sitting attenuates both popliteal FMD and endothelium-independent, nitroglycerin-mediated dilation responses (NMD, 0.4 mg sublingual dose). Popliteal blood flow (mL/min), relative FMD (%), and NMD (%) were assessed via duplex ultrasonography before and after a ∼3-h bout of sitting in 14 young, healthy adults (8♀; 22 ± 2 yr). Prolonged sitting attenuated resting blood flow (57 ± 23 to 32 ± 16 mL/min, P < 0.001), relative FMD (4.6 ± 2.8% to 2.2 ± 2.5%; P = 0.001), and NMD (7.3 ± 4.0% to 4.6 ± 3.0%; P = 0.002). These novel findings demonstrate that both endothelium-dependent and independent mechanisms contribute to the adverse vascular consequences associated with prolonged bouts of sitting.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that lower-limb vascular smooth muscle function is attenuated in young, healthy adults after an acute bout of prolonged sitting. These data indicate that prolonged sitting-induced vascular dysfunction involves both endothelium-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoxuan Liu
- Division of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Myles W O'Brien
- Division of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Geriatric Medicine Research, Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Yanlin Wu
- Division of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Carolina M Bustamante
- Division of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Derek S Kimmerly
- Division of Kinesiology, School of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Health, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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10
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Endothelial and Vascular Smooth Muscle Dysfunction in Hypertension. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 205:115263. [PMID: 36174768 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The development of essential hypertension involves several factors. Vascular dysfunction, characterized by endothelial dysfunction, low-grade inflammation and structural remodeling, plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of essential hypertension. Although the mechanistic pathways by which essential hypertension develops are poorly understood, several pharmacological classes available on the clinical settings improve blood pressure by interfering in the cardiac output and/or vascular function. This review is divided in two major sections. The first section depicts the major molecular pathways as renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), endothelin, nitric oxide signalling pathway and oxidative stress in the development of vascular dysfunction. The second section describes the role of some pharmacological classes such as i) RAAS inhibitors, ii) dual angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, iii) endothelin-1 receptor antagonists, iv) soluble guanylate cyclase modulators, v) phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors and vi) sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in the context of hypertension. Some classes are already approved in the treatment of hypertension, but others are not yet approved. However, due to their potential benefits these classes were included.
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11
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Guo J, Yu X, Liu Y, Lu L, Zhu D, Zhang Y, Li L, Zhang P, Gao Q, Lu X, Sun M. Prenatal hypothyroidism diminished exogenous NO-mediated diastolic effects in fetal rat thoracic aorta smooth muscle via increased oxidative stress. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 113:52-61. [PMID: 35970333 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.08.009] [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: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Maternal hypothyroidism is an important problem of modern healthcare and is reported to increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the offspring later in life. However, it is unclear whether hypothyroidism during pregnancy causes vascular damage in the fetal period. We established the prenatal hypothyroidism rat model and collected the fetuses at the 21th day of gestation (GD21). Thyroid hormone concentrations in maternal and offspring blood serum were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The thoracic aortas of the fetuses were isolated for microvessel functional testing and histochemical stainings. qPCR and Western blot were performed to access mRNA and protein expression. We found that the concentrations of thyroid hormones in the serum of pregnant rats and fetuses were significantly suppressed at GD21. The responses of the fetal thoracic aortas to SNP were significantly attenuated in the PTU group. However, no statistical difference was found between the two groups when treated with either inhibitor (ODQ) or activator (BAY58-2667) of sGC. The production of O2-• in the arterial wall was significantly increased in hypothyroid fetuses. Moreover, the level of NADPH oxidase (NOX) was increased, while superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) was down-regulated in the PTU group, ultimately contributing to the increased production of superoxide. Additionally, decreased SNP-mediated vasodilation found in fetal vessels was improved by either NOX inhibitor (Apocynin) or SOD mimic (Tempol). These results indicate that increased oxidative stress is probably the cause of the diminished diastolic effect of exogenous NO in the thoracic artery of prenatal hypothyroidism exposed fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Guo
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Xi Yu
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Yanping Liu
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Likui Lu
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Dan Zhu
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Lingjun Li
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Pengjie Zhang
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Qinqin Gao
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu 215006, China
| | - Xiyuan Lu
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu 215006, China.
| | - Miao Sun
- Institute for Fetology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou City, Jiangsu 215006, China.
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12
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Lundberg JO, Weitzberg E. Nitric oxide signaling in health and disease. Cell 2022; 185:2853-2878. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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13
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Durgin BG, Wood KC, Hahn SA, McMahon B, Baust JJ, Straub AC. Smooth muscle cell CYB5R3 preserves cardiac and vascular function under chronic hypoxic stress. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022; 162:72-80. [PMID: 34536439 PMCID: PMC8766905 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2021.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hypoxia is a major driver of cardiovascular complications, including heart failure. The nitric oxide (NO) - soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) - cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway is integral to vascular tone maintenance. Specifically, NO binds its receptor sGC within vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) in its reduced heme (Fe2+) form to increase intracellular cGMP production, activate protein kinase G (PKG) signaling, and induce vessel relaxation. Under chronic hypoxia, oxidative stress drives oxidation of sGC heme (Fe2+→Fe3+), rendering it NO-insensitive. We previously showed that cytochrome b5 reductase 3 (CYB5R3) in SMC is a sGC reductase important for maintaining NO-dependent vasodilation and conferring resilience to systemic hypertension and sickle cell disease-associated pulmonary hypertension. To test whether CYB5R3 may be protective in the context of chronic hypoxia, we subjected SMC-specific CYB5R3 knockout mice (SMC CYB5R3 KO) to 3 weeks hypoxia and assessed vascular and cardiac function using echocardiography, pressure volume loops and wire myography. Hypoxic stress caused 1) biventricular hypertrophy in both WT and SMC CYB5R3 KO, but to a larger degree in KO mice, 2) blunted vasodilation to NO-dependent activation of sGC in coronary and pulmonary arteries of KO mice, and 3) decreased, albeit still normal, cardiac function in KO mice. Overall, these data indicate that SMC CYB5R3 deficiency potentiates bilateral ventricular hypertrophy and blunts NO-dependent vasodilation under chronic hypoxia conditions. This implicates that SMC CYB5R3 KO mice post 3-week hypoxia have early stages of cardiac remodeling and functional changes that could foretell significantly impaired cardiac function with longer exposure to hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany G. Durgin
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Katherine C. Wood
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Scott A. Hahn
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Brenda McMahon
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jeffrey J. Baust
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Adam C. Straub
- Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,Center for Microvascular Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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14
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Dent MR, DeMartino AW, Tejero J, Gladwin MT. Endogenous Hemoprotein-Dependent Signaling Pathways of Nitric Oxide and Nitrite. Inorg Chem 2021; 60:15918-15940. [PMID: 34313417 PMCID: PMC9167621 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c01048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Interdisciplinary research at the interface of chemistry, physiology, and biomedicine have uncovered pivotal roles of nitric oxide (NO) as a signaling molecule that regulates vascular tone, platelet aggregation, and other pathways relevant to human health and disease. Heme is central to physiological NO signaling, serving as the active site for canonical NO biosynthesis in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes and as the highly selective NO binding site in the soluble guanylyl cyclase receptor. Outside of the primary NOS-dependent biosynthetic pathway, other hemoproteins, including hemoglobin and myoglobin, generate NO via the reduction of nitrite. This auxiliary hemoprotein reaction unlocks a "second axis" of NO signaling in which nitrite serves as a stable NO reservoir. In this Forum Article, we highlight these NO-dependent physiological pathways and examine complex chemical and biochemical reactions that govern NO and nitrite signaling in vivo. We focus on hemoprotein-dependent reaction pathways that generate and consume NO in the presence of nitrite and consider intermediate nitrogen oxides, including NO2, N2O3, and S-nitrosothiols, that may facilitate nitrite-based signaling in blood vessels and tissues. We also discuss emergent therapeutic strategies that leverage our understanding of these key reaction pathways to target NO signaling and treat a wide range of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Dent
- Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Anthony W DeMartino
- Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Jesús Tejero
- Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
| | - Mark T Gladwin
- Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States
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15
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Sandner P, Follmann M, Becker-Pelster E, Hahn MG, Meier C, Freitas C, Roessig L, Stasch JP. Soluble GC stimulators and activators: Past, present and future. Br J Pharmacol 2021. [PMID: 34600441 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of soluble GC (sGC) stimulators and sGC activators provided valuable tools to elucidate NO-sGC signalling and opened novel pharmacological opportunities for cardiovascular indications and beyond. The first-in-class sGC stimulator riociguat was approved for pulmonary hypertension in 2013 and vericiguat very recently for heart failure. sGC stimulators enhance sGC activity independent of NO and also act synergistically with endogenous NO. The sGC activators specifically bind to, and activate, the oxidised haem-free form of sGC. Substantial research efforts improved on the first-generation sGC activators such as cinaciguat, culminating in the discovery of runcaciguat, currently in clinical Phase II trials for chronic kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy. Here, we highlight the discovery and development of sGC stimulators and sGC activators, their unique modes of action, their preclinical characteristics and the clinical studies. In the future, we expect to see more sGC agonists in new indications, reflecting their unique therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Sandner
- Pharmaceuticals Research & Development, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Markus Follmann
- Pharmaceuticals Research & Development, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | | | - Michael G Hahn
- Pharmaceuticals Research & Development, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Christian Meier
- Pharmaceuticals Medical Affairs and Pharmacovigilance, Bayer AG, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cecilia Freitas
- Pharmaceuticals Research & Development, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Lothar Roessig
- Pharmaceuticals Research & Development, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Johannes-Peter Stasch
- Pharmaceuticals Research & Development, Bayer AG, Wuppertal, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacy, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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16
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Calamaras TD, Pande S, Baumgartner RA, Kim SK, McCarthy JC, Martin GL, Tam K, McLaughlin AL, Wang GR, Aronovitz MJ, Lin W, Aguirre JI, Baca P, Liu P, Richards DA, Davis RJ, Karas RH, Jaffe IZ, Blanton RM. MLK3 mediates impact of PKG1α on cardiac function and controls blood pressure through separate mechanisms. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e149075. [PMID: 34324442 PMCID: PMC8492323 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.149075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
cGMP-dependent protein kinase 1α (PKG1α) promotes left ventricle (LV) compensation after pressure overload. PKG1-activating drugs improve heart failure (HF) outcomes but are limited by vasodilation-induced hypotension. Signaling molecules that mediate PKG1α cardiac therapeutic effects but do not promote PKG1α-induced hypotension could therefore represent improved therapeutic targets. We investigated roles of mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) in mediating PKG1α effects on LV function after pressure overload and in regulating BP. In a transaortic constriction HF model, PKG activation with sildenafil preserved LV function in MLK3+/+ but not MLK3-/- littermates. MLK3 coimmunoprecipitated with PKG1α. MLK3-PKG1α cointeraction decreased in failing LVs. PKG1α phosphorylated MLK3 on Thr277/Ser281 sites required for kinase activation. MLK3-/- mice displayed hypertension and increased arterial stiffness, though PKG stimulation with sildenafil or the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator BAY41-2272 still reduced BP in MLK3-/- mice. MLK3 kinase inhibition with URMC-099 did not affect BP but induced LV dysfunction in mice. These data reveal MLK3 as a PKG1α substrate mediating PKG1α preservation of LV function but not acute PKG1α BP effects. Mechanistically, MLK3 kinase-dependent effects preserved LV function, whereas MLK3 kinase-independent signaling regulated BP. These findings suggest augmenting MLK3 kinase activity could preserve LV function in HF but avoid hypotension from PKG1α activation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kelly Tam
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute and
| | | | | | | | - Weiyu Lin
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute and
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Paulina Baca
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute and
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peiwen Liu
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute and
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Roger J. Davis
- University of Massachusetts School of Medicine, Worchester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Iris Z. Jaffe
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute and
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert M. Blanton
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute and
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Bayarri MA, Milara J, Estornut C, Cortijo J. Nitric Oxide System and Bronchial Epithelium: More Than a Barrier. Front Physiol 2021; 12:687381. [PMID: 34276407 PMCID: PMC8279772 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.687381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway epithelium forms a physical barrier that protects the lung from the entrance of inhaled allergens, irritants, or microorganisms. This epithelial structure is maintained by tight junctions, adherens junctions and desmosomes that prevent the diffusion of soluble mediators or proteins between apical and basolateral cell surfaces. This apical junctional complex also participates in several signaling pathways involved in gene expression, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. In addition, the airway epithelium can produce chemokines and cytokines that trigger the activation of the immune response. Disruption of this complex by some inflammatory, profibrotic, and carcinogens agents can provoke epithelial barrier dysfunction that not only contributes to an increase of viral and bacterial infection, but also alters the normal function of epithelial cells provoking several lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF) or lung cancer, among others. While nitric oxide (NO) molecular pathway has been linked with endothelial function, less is known about the role of the NO system on the bronchial epithelium and airway epithelial cells function in physiological and different pathologic scenarios. Several data indicate that the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) is altered in lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, lung fibrosis, and cancer among others, and that reactive oxygen species mediate uncoupling NO to promote the increase of peroxynitrite levels, thus inducing bronchial epithelial barrier dysfunction. Furthermore, iNOS and the intracellular pathway sGC-cGMP-PKG are dysregulated in bronchial epithelial cells from patients with lung inflammation, fibrosis, and malignancies which represents an attractive drug molecular target. In this review we describe in detail current knowledge of the effect of NOS-NO-GC-cGMP-PKG pathway activation and disruption in bronchial epithelial cells barrier integrity and its contribution in different lung diseases, focusing on bronchial epithelial cell permeability, inflammation, transformation, migration, apoptosis/necrosis, and proliferation, as well as the specific NO molecular pathways involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Amparo Bayarri
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier Milara
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Pharmacy Unit, University General Hospital Consortium of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Cristina Estornut
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Julio Cortijo
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Centre on Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES), Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Research and Teaching Unit, University General Hospital Consortium of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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18
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Lukowski R, Cruz Santos M, Kuret A, Ruth P. cGMP and mitochondrial K + channels-Compartmentalized but closely connected in cardioprotection. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:2344-2360. [PMID: 33991427 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The 3',5'-cGMP pathway triggers cytoprotective responses and improves cardiomyocyte survival during myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. These beneficial effects were attributed to NO-sensitive GC induced cGMP production leading to activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (cGKI). cGKI in turn phosphorylates many substrates, which eventually facilitate opening of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channels (mitoKATP ) and Ca2+ -activated potassium channels of the BK type (mitoBK). Accordingly, agents activating mitoKATP or mitoBK provide protection against I/R-induced damages. Here, we provide an up-to-date summary of the infarct-limiting actions exhibited by the GC/cGMP axis and discuss how mitoKATP and mitoBK, which are present at the inner mitochondrial membrane, confer mito- and cytoprotective effects on cardiomyocytes exposed to I/R injury. In view of this, we believe that the functional connection between the cGMP cascade and mitoK+ channels should be exploited further as adjunct to reperfusion therapy in myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Lukowski
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Melanie Cruz Santos
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Anna Kuret
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Peter Ruth
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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19
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Dai Y, Stuehr DJ. Inactivation of soluble guanylyl cyclase in living cells proceeds without loss of haem and involves heterodimer dissociation as a common step. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:2505-2518. [PMID: 33975383 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Nitric oxide (NO) activates soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) for cGMP production, but in disease, sGC becomes insensitive towards NO activation. What changes occur to sGC during its inactivation in cells is not clear. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We utilized HEK293 cells expressing sGC proteins to study the changes that occur regarding its haem content, heterodimer status and sGCβ protein partners when the cells were given the oxidant ODQ or the NO donor NOC12 to inactivate sGC. Haem content of sGCβ was monitored in live cells through use of a fluorescent-labelled sGCβ construct, whereas sGC heterodimer status and protein interactions were studied by Western blot analysis. Experiments with purified proteins were also performed. KEY RESULTS ODQ- or NOC12-driven inactivation of sGC in HEK293 cells was associated with haem oxidation (by ODQ), S-nitrosation of the sGCβ subunit (by NOC12), sGC heterodimer breakup and association of the freed sGCβ subunit with cell chaperone Hsp90. These changes occurred without detectable loss of haem from the sGCβ reporter construct. Treating a purified ferrous haem-containing sGCβ with ODQ or NOC12 caused it to bind with Hsp90 without showing any haem loss. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Oxidative (ODQ) or nitrosative (NOC12) inactivation of cell sGC involves sGC heterodimer dissociation and rearrangement of the sGCβ protein partners without any haem loss from sGCβ. Clarifying what changes do and do not occur to sGC during its inactivation in cells may direct strategies to preserve or recover NO-dependent cGMP signalling in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Dai
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, USA
| | - Dennis J Stuehr
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, The Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, 44195, USA
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20
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Network Pharmacology Prediction and Pharmacological Verification Mechanism of Yeju Jiangya Decoction on Hypertension. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:5579129. [PMID: 34055010 PMCID: PMC8131144 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5579129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Yeju Jiangya decoction (CIF) is an herbal formula from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of hypertension. Materials and Methods Based on the analysis of network pharmacology, combined with in animal experiments, the network pharmacology was used to explore the potential proteins and mechanisms of CIF against hypertension. The bioactive compounds of CIF were screened by using the platform, and the targets of hypertension and CIF were collected. Then, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and protein-protein interaction network (PPI) core targets were carried out, and the useful proteins were found by molecular docking technology. Finally, we used N-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) induced hypertension model rats to confirm the effect and mechanism of CIF on hypertension. Results 14 bioactive compounds of CIF passed the virtual screening criteria, and 178 overlapping targets were identified as core targets of CIF against hypertension. The CIF-related target network with 178 nodes and 344 edges is constructed. The topological results show that quercetin and luteolin are the key components in the network. The key targets NOS3 (nitric oxide synthase 3) and NOS2 (nitric oxide synthase 2) were screened by the protein-protein interaction network. The analysis of target protein pathway enrichment showed that the accumulation pathway is related to the vascular structure of CIF regulation of hypertension. Further verification based on molecular docking results showed that NOS3 had the good binding ability with quercetin and luteolin. On the other hand, NOS3 has an important relationship with the composition of blood vessels. Furthermore, the animal experiment indicated that after the L-NNA-induced hypertension rat model was established, CIF intervention was given by gavage for 3 weeks, and it can decrease serum concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2), increase the expression of nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin 2 (PGI2), and improve renal, cardiac, and aortic lesions. At the same time, it can reduce blood pressure and shorten vertigo time. Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses indicated that CIF may downregulate the expression of NOS3, guanylyl cyclase-alpha 1 (GC-α1), guanylyl cyclase-alpha 2 (GC-α2), and protein kinase CGMP-dependent 1 (PRKG1). These results suggest that CIF may play an antihypertensive role by inhibiting the activation of the NOS3/PRKG1 pathway. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that CIF has the ability to improve target organs, protect endothelial function, and reduce blood pressure and that CIF might be a potential therapeutic drug for the prevention of hypertension. It provides new insight into hypertension and the potential biological basis and mechanism for CIF clinical research.
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21
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Sharina I, Lezgyieva K, Krutsenko Y, Martin E. Higher susceptibility to heme oxidation and lower protein stability of the rare α 1C517Yβ 1 sGC variant associated with moyamoya syndrome. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 186:114459. [PMID: 33571505 PMCID: PMC8052303 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
NO sensitive soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) plays a key role in mediating physiological functions of NO. Genetic alterations of the GUCY1A3 gene, coding for the α1 subunit of sGC, are associated with several cardiovascular dysfunctions. A rare sGC variant with Cys517 → Tyr substitution in the α1subunit, has been associated with moyamoya disease and achalasia. In this report we characterize the properties of this rare sGC variant. Purified α1C517Yβ1 sGC preserved only ~25% of its cGMP-forming activity and showed an elevated Km for GTP substrate. However, the mutant enzyme retained a high affinity for and robust activation by NO, similar to wild type sGC. Purified α1C517Yβ1 enzyme was more sensitive to specific sGC heme oxidizers and less responsive to heme reducing agents. When expressed in COS7 cells, α1C517Yβ1 sGC showed a much stronger response to cinaciguat or gemfibrozil, which targets apo-sGC or sGC with ferric heme, as compared to its NO response or the relative response of the wild type sGC. A stronger response to cinaciguat was also observed for purified α1C517Yβ1 in the absence of reducing agents. In COS7 cells, αCys517β sGC was less stable than the wild type enzyme under normal conditions and exhibited accelerated degradation upon induction of cellular oxidative stress. We conclude that diminished cGMP-forming activity of this sGC variant is aggravated by its high susceptibility to oxidative stress and diminished protein stability. The combination of these deficiencies contributes to the severity of observed moyamoya and achalasia symptoms in human carriers of this rare α1C517Yβ1 sGC variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iraida Sharina
- University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, United States
| | - Karina Lezgyieva
- School of Science and Technology, Nazarbayev University, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Emil Martin
- University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern Medical School, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiology, United States.
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22
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Sandner P, Zimmer DP, Milne GT, Follmann M, Hobbs A, Stasch JP. Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulators and Activators. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 264:355-394. [PMID: 30689085 DOI: 10.1007/164_2018_197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
When Furchgott, Murad, and Ignarro were honored with the Nobel prize for the identification of nitric oxide (NO) in 1998, the therapeutic implications of this discovery could not be fully anticipated. This was due to the fact that available therapeutics like NO donors did not allow a constant and long-lasting cyclic guanylyl monophosphate (cGMP) stimulation and had a narrow therapeutic window. Now, 20 years later, the stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), riociguat, is on the market and is the only drug approved for the treatment of two forms of pulmonary hypertension (PAH/CTEPH), and a variety of other sGC stimulators and sGC activators are in preclinical and clinical development for additional indications. The discovery of sGC stimulators and sGC activators is a milestone in the field of NO/sGC/cGMP pharmacology. The sGC stimulators and sGC activators bind directly to reduced, heme-containing and oxidized, heme-free sGC, respectively, which results in an increase in cGMP production. The action of sGC stimulators at the heme-containing enzyme is independent of NO but is enhanced in the presence of NO whereas the sGC activators interact with the heme-free form of sGC. These highly innovative pharmacological principles of sGC stimulation and activation seem to have a very broad therapeutic potential. Therefore, in both academia and industry, intensive research and development efforts have been undertaken to fully exploit the therapeutic benefit of these new compound classes. Here we summarize the discovery of sGC stimulators and sGC activators and the current developments in both compound classes, including the mode of action, the chemical structures, and the genesis of the terminology and nomenclature. In addition, preclinical studies exploring multiple aspects of their in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo pharmacology are reviewed, providing an overview of multiple potential applications. Finally, the clinical developments, investigating the treatment potential of these compounds in various diseases like heart failure, diabetic kidney disease, fibrotic diseases, and hypertension, are reported. In summary, sGC stimulators and sGC activators have a unique mode of action with a broad treatment potential in cardiovascular diseases and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Sandner
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, Wuppertal, Germany. .,Department of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.
| | | | | | - Markus Follmann
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Adrian Hobbs
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry QMUL, London, UK
| | - Johannes-Peter Stasch
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, Wuppertal, Germany.,Institute of Pharmacy, University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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23
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Abstract
Cyclic GMP (cGMP) represents a classic intracellular second messenger molecule. Over the past 2 decades, important discoveries have identified that cGMP signaling becomes deranged in heart failure (HF) and that cGMP and its main kinase effector, protein kinase G, generally oppose the biological abnormalities contributing to HF, in experimental studies. These findings have influenced the design of clinical trials of cGMP-augmenting drugs in HF patients. At present, the trial results of cGMP-augmenting therapies in HF remain mixed. As detailed in this review, strong evidence now exists that protein kinase G opposes pathologic cardiac remodeling through regulation of diverse biological processes and myocardial substrates. Potential reasons for the failures of cGMP-augmenting drugs in HF may be related to biological mechanisms opposing cGMP or because of certain features of clinical trials, all of which are discussed.
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24
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Naesheim T, How OJ, Myrmel T. The effect of Riociguat on cardiovascular function and efficiency in healthy, juvenile pigs. Physiol Rep 2020; 8:e14562. [PMID: 32918535 PMCID: PMC7507463 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Riociguat is a soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator approved for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Its effect on cardiometabolic efficiency is unknown. A potential cardiac energy sparing effect of this drug could imply a positive prognostic effect, particularly in patients with right heart failure from pulmonary hypertension. METHOD We infused Riociguat in six healthy juvenile pigs and measured the integrated cardiovascular effect and myocardial oxygen consumption. To assess the interplay with NO-blockade on cardiac function and efficiency we also administered the NO-blocker L- NAME to the animals after Riociguat. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Infusion of 100 µg/kg Riociguat gave modest systemic vasodilatation seen as a drop in coronary and systemic vascular resistance of 36% and 26%, respectively. Right and left ventriculoarterial coupling index (Ees/Ea), stroke work efficiency (SWeff), and the relationship between left ventricular myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2 ) and total mechanical work (pressure-volume area; PVA) were unaffected by Riociguat. In contrast, systemic and pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by L-NAME (15 mg/kg) shifted the Ees/Ea ratio toward reduced SWeff in both systemic and pulmonary circulation. However, there was no surplus oxygen consumption, that was measured by the MVO2 /PVA relationship after L-NAME in Riociguat-treated pigs. This suggests that Riociguat can reduce the NO-related cardiometabolic inefficiency previously observed by blocking the NO pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torvind Naesheim
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ole-Jakob How
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Truls Myrmel
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.,Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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25
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Dao VTV, Elbatreek MH, Deile M, Nedvetsky PI, Güldner A, Ibarra-Alvarado C, Gödecke A, Schmidt HHHW. Non-canonical chemical feedback self-limits nitric oxide-cyclic GMP signaling in health and disease. Sci Rep 2020; 10:10012. [PMID: 32561822 PMCID: PMC7305106 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66639-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic GMP (cGMP) signaling is a vasoprotective pathway therapeutically targeted, for example, in pulmonary hypertension. Its dysregulation in disease is incompletely understood. Here we show in pulmonary artery endothelial cells that feedback inhibition by NO of the NO receptor, the cGMP forming soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), may contribute to this. Both endogenous NO from endothelial NO synthase and exogenous NO from NO donor compounds decreased sGC protein and activity. This effect was not mediated by cGMP as the NO-independent sGC stimulator, or direct activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase did not mimic it. Thiol-sensitive mechanisms were also not involved as the thiol-reducing agent N-acetyl-L-cysteine did not prevent this feedback. Instead, both in-vitro and in-vivo and in health and acute respiratory lung disease, chronically elevated NO led to the inactivation and degradation of sGC while leaving the heme-free isoform, apo-sGC, intact or even increasing its levels. Thus, NO regulates sGC in a bimodal manner, acutely stimulating and chronically inhibiting, as part of self-limiting direct feedback that is cGMP independent. In high NO disease conditions, this is aggravated but can be functionally recovered in a mechanism-based manner by apo-sGC activators that re-establish cGMP formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vu Thao-Vi Dao
- Department of Pharmacology and Personalised Medicine, MeHNS, FHML, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Mahmoud H Elbatreek
- Department of Pharmacology and Personalised Medicine, MeHNS, FHML, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Department for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
| | - Martin Deile
- Primary Care Center, Altenberger Str. 27, 01277, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pavel I Nedvetsky
- Universitätsklinikum Münster, Medical Clinic D, Medical Cell Biology, Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas Güldner
- Residency Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Technische Universität, Dresden, Germany
| | - César Ibarra-Alvarado
- Facultad de Química, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Axel Gödecke
- Institut für Herz- und Kreislaufphysiologie Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Harald H H W Schmidt
- Department of Pharmacology and Personalised Medicine, MeHNS, FHML, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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26
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Tam K, Richards DA, Aronovitz MJ, Martin GL, Pande S, Jaffe IZ, Blanton RM. Sacubitril/Valsartan Improves Left Ventricular Function in Chronic Pressure Overload Independent of Intact Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate-dependent Protein Kinase I Alpha Signaling. J Card Fail 2020; 26:769-775. [PMID: 32464187 DOI: 10.1016/j.cardfail.2020.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combined angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibition with sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val) has emerged as a therapy for heart failure. The presumed mechanism of benefit is through prevention of natriuretic peptide degradation, leading to increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKG) signaling. However, the specific requirement of PKG for Sac/Val effects remains untested. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined Sac/Val treatment in mice with mutation of the cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (PKGI)α leucine zipper domain, which is required for cGMP-PKGIα antiremodeling actions in vivo. Wild-type (WT) or PKG leucine zipper mutant (LZM) mice were exposed to 56-day left ventricular (LV) pressure overload by moderate (26G) transaortic constriction (TAC). At day 14 after TAC, mice were randomized to vehicle or Sac/Val by oral gavage. TAC induced the same degree of LV pressure overload in WT and LZM mice, which was not affected by Sac/Val. Although LZM mice, but not WT, developed LV dilation after TAC, Sac/Val improved cardiac hypertrophy and LV fractional shortening to the same degree in both the WT and LZM TAC mice. CONCLUSION These findings indicate the beneficial effects of Sac/Val on LV structure and function in moderate pressure overload. The unexpected finding that PKGIα mutation does not abolish the Sac/Val effects on cardiac hypertrophy and on LV function suggests that signaling other than natriuretic peptide- cGMP-PKG mediates the therapeutic benefits of neprilysin inhibition in heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Tam
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel A Richards
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mark J Aronovitz
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gregory L Martin
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Suchita Pande
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Iris Z Jaffe
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Robert M Blanton
- Molecular Cardiology Research Institute, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
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27
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Abstract
The antihypertrophic effect of nebivolol over cardioselective beta-blockers (β-blockers) is attributed to the activation of cardiac nitric oxide signaling. However, the precise role of nebivolol on hypertrophied cardiomyocytes remains unclear. In the current study, in vitro cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was induced with isoprenaline (10 μM), angiotensin II (1 μM), and phenylephrine (20 μM) in neonatal cardiomyocytes isolated from 0- to 2-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats. In addition to hypertrophic agents, cardiomyocytes were treated with nebivolol (1 μM), metoprolol (10 μM), N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (100 μM), KT5823 (1 μM), DETA-NONOate (1-10 μM), and BAY412272 (10 μM). After 24 hours of treatment, cardiomyocyte size and transcriptional changes in cardiac hypertrophy markers were evaluated. Cardiomyocyte size increased equally in response to all hypertrophic agents. Nebivolol reduced the enhancement in cell size in response to both isoprenaline and angiotensin II; metoprolol did not. The antihypertrophic effect of nebivolol was prevented with L-NAME blockage indicating the role of NOS signaling on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The increased mRNA levels of atrial natriuretic peptide induced by isoprenaline decreased with nebivolol, but both β-blockers reduced the angiotensin II-induced increase in atrial natriuretic peptide expression. Combined, these results reveal that by activating NOS signaling, nebivolol exerts antihypertrophic effects on neonatal cardiomyocytes independent from the action mechanism of hypertrophic stimulus.
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28
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Kim GD. Sirt1-Mediated Anti-Aging Effects of Houttuynia cordata Extract in a High Glucose-Induced Endothelial Cell-Aging Model. Prev Nutr Food Sci 2020; 25:108-112. [PMID: 32292763 PMCID: PMC7143013 DOI: 10.3746/pnf.2020.25.1.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Houttuynia cordata (HC) is a herb widely used in traditional Asian medicine as an ingredient in complex prescriptions. HC is known for its anti-leukemic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its anti-vascular endothelial aging efficacy and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the anti-aging effects of HC in a high glucose (HG)-induced endothelial cell (EC)-aging model. Treatment with HC (40 μg/mL) increased migration of ECs, and increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases and p38 in a dose-dependent manner. Following HG treatment (30 mM), HC significantly decreased the number of senescence-associated β-galactosidase positive cells, which are the biomarkers for aging, in a dose-dependent manner. Based on levels of phosphorylation, HC (40 μg/mL) was shown to increase expression of sirtuin1 (Sirt1) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) by 74.4% and 328.2%, respectively. Furthermore, treatment of HG-induced senescent ECs with HC (40 μg/mL) significantly increased nitric oxide production (P<0.05). These results demonstrate that HC both increases EC migration and regulates the Sirt1/eNOS pathway, suggesting HC has potential for protecting ECs against HG-induced aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gi Dae Kim
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyungnam University, Gyeongnam 51767, Korea
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29
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Xiao S, Li Q, Hu L, Yu Z, Yang J, Chang Q, Chen Z, Hu G. Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulators and Activators: Where are We and Where to Go? Mini Rev Med Chem 2019; 19:1544-1557. [PMID: 31362687 DOI: 10.2174/1389557519666190730110600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Soluble Guanylate Cyclase (sGC) is the intracellular receptor of Nitric Oxide (NO). The activation of sGC results in the conversion of Guanosine Triphosphate (GTP) to the secondary messenger cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP modulates a series of downstream cascades through activating a variety of effectors, such as Phosphodiesterase (PDE), Protein Kinase G (PKG) and Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Ion Channels (CNG). NO-sGC-cGMP pathway plays significant roles in various physiological processes, including platelet aggregation, smooth muscle relaxation and neurotransmitter delivery. With the approval of an sGC stimulator Riociguat for the treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), the enthusiasm in the discovery of sGC modulators continues for broad clinical applications. Notably, through activating the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway, sGC stimulator and activator potentiate for the treatment of various diseases, such as PAH, Heart Failure (HF), Diabetic Nephropathy (DN), Systemic Sclerosis (SS), fibrosis as well as other diseases including Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Central Nervous System (CNS) disease. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical studies of sGC stimulator and activator in recent years and prospect for the development of sGC modulators in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Xiao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Qianbin Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Liqing Hu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Zutao Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science Kyoto University Kitashirakawa- Oiwakecho, Sakyo-Ku, kyoto, Japan
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Qi Chang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Gaoyun Hu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Xiangya School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
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Prenatal high-salt diet impaired vasodilatation with reprogrammed renin-angiotensin system in offspring rats. J Hypertens 2019; 36:2369-2379. [PMID: 30382958 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000001865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AIMS High-salt diet is linked to hypertension, and prenatal high-salt diet increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases in the offspring. The present study investigated whether and how prenatal high-salt diet influenced nitric oxide-mediated vasodilatation in the offspring. METHODS AND RESULTS Pregnant rats were fed either normal-salt (1% sodium chloride) or high-salt (8% sodium chloride) diet during gestation. Experiments were conducted in 5-month-old male offspring. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, nitric oxide donor)-induced hypotensive responses (in vivo) and vascular dilatation (in vitro) was significantly attenuated (Emax: 84 ± 2 vs. 51 ± 2, high-salt vs. control, P < 0.001) in the high-salt offspring, indicating reduced vascular relaxations. Pretreatment with Tempol (reactive oxygen species scavenger) alleviated this attenuation. The high-salt offspring showed an increased level of oxidative stress markers in both mesenteric arteries and plasma samples. The antioxidant activity, serum superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly reduced, whereas malondialdehyde was increased in the high-salt offspring. O2 production, and protein expression of Nox2 and Nox4 in mesenteric arteries was significantly increased in the high-salt offspring whereas Nox1 showed no changes. The local renin-angiotensin system in mesenteric arteries was activated, associated with an increased NADPH oxidase. DNA methylation at the proximal promoter of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene in the lung was significantly increased in the high-salt offspring (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION The results suggest that prenatal high-salt diet impairs nitric oxide-mediated vasodilatation because of the increased oxidative stress-affected renin-angiotensin system in the high-salt offspring, providing new information for understanding, and early prevention of cardiovascular diseases in fetal origins.
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31
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Frankenreiter S, Groneberg D, Kuret A, Krieg T, Ruth P, Friebe A, Lukowski R. Cardioprotection by ischemic postconditioning and cyclic guanosine monophosphate-elevating agents involves cardiomyocyte nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase. Cardiovasc Res 2019; 114:822-829. [PMID: 29438488 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims It has been suggested that the nitric oxide-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO-GC)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent signalling pathway affords protection against cardiac damage during acute myocardial infarction (AMI). It is, however, not clear whether the NO-GC/cGMP system confers its favourable effects through a mechanism located in cardiomyocytes (CMs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the infarct-limiting effects of the endogenous NO-GC in CMs in vivo. Methods and results Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was evaluated in mice with a CM-specific deletion of NO-GC (CM NO-GC KO) and in control siblings (CM NO-GC CTR) subjected to an in vivo model of AMI. Lack of CM NO-GC resulted in a mild increase in blood pressure but did not affect basal infarct sizes after I/R. Ischemic postconditioning (iPost), administration of the phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors sildenafil and tadalafil as well as the NO-GC activator cinaciguat significantly reduced the amount of infarction in control mice but not in CM NO-GC KO littermates. Interestingly, NS11021, an opener of the large-conductance and Ca2+-activated potassium channel (BK), an important downstream effector of cGMP/cGKI in the cardiovascular system, protects I/R-exposed hearts of CM NO-GC proficient and deficient mice. Conclusions These findings demonstrate an important role of CM NO-GC for the cardioprotective signalling following AMI in vivo. CM NO-GC function is essential for the beneficial effects on infarct size elicited by iPost and pharmacological elevation of cGMP; however, lack of CM NO-GC does not seem to disrupt the cardioprotection mediated by the BK opener NS11021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Frankenreiter
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dieter Groneberg
- Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Anna Kuret
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Krieg
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Peter Ruth
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Friebe
- Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Robert Lukowski
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Dai Y, Schlanger S, Haque MM, Misra S, Stuehr DJ. Heat shock protein 90 regulates soluble guanylyl cyclase maturation by a dual mechanism. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:12880-12891. [PMID: 31311859 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The enzyme soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is a heterodimer composed of an α subunit and a heme-containing β subunit. It participates in signaling by generating cGMP in response to nitric oxide (NO). Heme insertion into the β1 subunit of sGC (sGCβ) is critical for function, and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) associates with heme-free sGCβ (apo-sGCβ) to drive its heme insertion. Here, we tested the accuracy and relevance of a modeled apo-sGCβ-HSP90 complex by constructing sGCβ variants predicted to have an impaired interaction with HSP90. Using site-directed mutagenesis, purified recombinant proteins, mammalian cell expression, and fluorescence approaches, we found that (i) three regions in apo-sGCβ predicted by the model mediate direct complex formation with HSP90 both in vitro and in mammalian cells; (ii) such HSP90 complex formation directly correlates with the extent of heme insertion into apo-sGCβ and with cyclase activity; and (iii) apo-sGCβ mutants possessing an HSP90-binding defect instead bind to sGCα in cells and form inactive, heme-free sGC heterodimers. Our findings uncover the molecular features of the cellular apo-sGCβ-HSP90 complex and reveal its dual importance in enabling heme insertion while preventing inactive heterodimer formation during sGC maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Dai
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195
| | - Simon Schlanger
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195
| | - Mohammad Mahfuzul Haque
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195
| | - Saurav Misra
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506
| | - Dennis J Stuehr
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195.
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Hindle AG, Allen KN, Batten AJ, Hückstädt LA, Turner-Maier J, Schulberg SA, Johnson J, Karlsson E, Lindblad-Toh K, Costa DP, Bloch DB, Zapol WM, Buys ES. Low guanylyl cyclase activity in Weddell seals: implications for peripheral vasoconstriction and perfusion of the brain during diving. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2019; 316:R704-R715. [PMID: 30892912 PMCID: PMC6620652 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00283.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a potent vasodilator, which improves perfusion and oxygen delivery during tissue hypoxia in terrestrial animals. The vertebrate dive response involves vasoconstriction in select tissues, which persists despite profound hypoxia. Using tissues collected from Weddell seals at necropsy, we investigated whether vasoconstriction is aided by downregulation of local hypoxia signaling mechanisms. We focused on NO-soluble guanylyl cyclase (GC)-cGMP signaling, a well-known vasodilatory transduction pathway. Seals have a lower GC protein abundance, activity, and capacity to respond to NO stimulation than do terrestrial mammals. In seal lung homogenates, GC produced less cGMP (20.1 ± 3.7 pmol·mg protein-1·min-1) than the lungs of dogs (-80 ± 144 pmol·mg protein-1·min-1 less than seals), sheep (-472 ± 96), rats (-664 ± 104) or mice (-1,160 ± 104, P < 0.0001). Amino acid sequences of the GC enzyme α-subunits differed between seals and terrestrial mammals, potentially affecting their structure and function. Vasoconstriction in diving Weddell seals is not consistent across tissues; perfusion is maintained in the brain and heart but decreased in other organs such as the kidney. A NO donor increased median GC activity 49.5-fold in the seal brain but only 27.4-fold in the kidney, consistent with the priority of cerebral perfusion during diving. Nos3 expression was high in the seal brain, which could improve NO production and vasodilatory potential. Conversely, Pde5a expression was high in the seal renal artery, which may increase cGMP breakdown and vasoconstriction in the kidney. Taken together, the results of this study suggest that alterations in the NO-cGMP pathway facilitate the diving response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson G Hindle
- Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kaitlin N Allen
- Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Annabelle J Batten
- Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Luis A Hückstädt
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California , Santa Cruz, California
| | - Jason Turner-Maier
- Vertebrate Genome Biology, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - S Anne Schulberg
- Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jeremy Johnson
- Vertebrate Genome Biology, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Elinor Karlsson
- Vertebrate Genome Biology, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Kerstin Lindblad-Toh
- Vertebrate Genome Biology, Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University , Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University , Uppsala , Sweden
| | - Daniel P Costa
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California , Santa Cruz, California
| | - Donald B Bloch
- Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Warren M Zapol
- Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Emmanuel S Buys
- Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
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Tejero J, Shiva S, Gladwin MT. Sources of Vascular Nitric Oxide and Reactive Oxygen Species and Their Regulation. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:311-379. [PMID: 30379623 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00036.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 280] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a small free radical with critical signaling roles in physiology and pathophysiology. The generation of sufficient NO levels to regulate the resistance of the blood vessels and hence the maintenance of adequate blood flow is critical to the healthy performance of the vasculature. A novel paradigm indicates that classical NO synthesis by dedicated NO synthases is supplemented by nitrite reduction pathways under hypoxia. At the same time, reactive oxygen species (ROS), which include superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, are produced in the vascular system for signaling purposes, as effectors of the immune response, or as byproducts of cellular metabolism. NO and ROS can be generated by distinct enzymes or by the same enzyme through alternate reduction and oxidation processes. The latter oxidoreductase systems include NO synthases, molybdopterin enzymes, and hemoglobins, which can form superoxide by reduction of molecular oxygen or NO by reduction of inorganic nitrite. Enzymatic uncoupling, changes in oxygen tension, and the concentration of coenzymes and reductants can modulate the NO/ROS production from these oxidoreductases and determine the redox balance in health and disease. The dysregulation of the mechanisms involved in the generation of NO and ROS is an important cause of cardiovascular disease and target for therapy. In this review we will present the biology of NO and ROS in the cardiovascular system, with special emphasis on their routes of formation and regulation, as well as the therapeutic challenges and opportunities for the management of NO and ROS in cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Tejero
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; and Department of Medicine, Center for Metabolism and Mitochondrial Medicine, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sruti Shiva
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; and Department of Medicine, Center for Metabolism and Mitochondrial Medicine, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark T Gladwin
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; and Department of Medicine, Center for Metabolism and Mitochondrial Medicine, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Zhai J, Qu X, Zhang Y, Gao H, Tao L, Song Y, Zhang S. Salvianolic acid inhibits the effects of high glucose on vascular endothelial dysfunction by modulating the Sirt1-eNOS pathway. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 2018; 33:e22245. [PMID: 30431688 DOI: 10.1002/jbt.22245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Revised: 09/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jinghui Zhai
- Depatment of Pharmacy; The First Hospital of Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Xiaoyu Qu
- Depatment of Pharmacy; The First Hospital of Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Yueming Zhang
- Depatment of Pharmacy; The First Hospital of Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Huan Gao
- Depatment of Pharmacy; The First Hospital of Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Lina Tao
- Depatment of Pharmacy; The First Hospital of Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Yanqing Song
- Depatment of Pharmacy; The First Hospital of Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Sixi Zhang
- Depatment of Pharmacy; The First Hospital of Jilin University; Changchun China
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Dissociation between urate and blood pressure in mice and in people with early Parkinson's disease. EBioMedicine 2018; 37:259-268. [PMID: 30415890 PMCID: PMC6284456 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.10.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Epidemiological, laboratory and clinical studies have established an association between elevated urate and high blood pressure (BP). However, the inference of causality remains controversial. A naturally occurring antioxidant, urate may also be neuroprotective, and urate-elevating treatment with its precursor inosine is currently under clinical development as a potential disease-modifying strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods Our study takes advantage of a recently completed phase II trial evaluating oral inosine in de novo non-disabling early PD with no major cardiovascular and nephrological conditions, and of three lines of genetically engineered mice: urate oxidase (UOx) global knockout (gKO), conditional KO (cKO), and transgenic (Tg) mice with markedly elevated, mildly elevated, and substantially reduced serum urate, respectively, to systematically investigate effects of urate-modifying manipulation on BP. Findings Among clinical trial participants, change in serum urate but not changes in systolic, diastolic and orthostatic BP differed by treatment group. There was no positive correlation between urate elevations and changes in systolic, diastolic and orthostatic BP ((p = .05 (in inverse direction), 0.30 and 0.63, respectively)). Between UOx gKO, cKO, or Tg mice and their respective wildtype littermates there were no significant differences in systolic or diastolic BP or in their responses to BP-regulating interventions. Interpretation Our complementary preclinical and human studies of urate modulation in animal models and in generally healthy early PD do not support a hypertensive effect of urate elevation or an association between urate and BP. Fund U.S. Department of Defense, RJG Foundation, Michael J. Fox Foundation LEAPS program, National Institutes of Health, American Federation for Aging Research, Parkinson's Disease Foundation Advancing Parkinson's Therapies initiative.
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Datunashvili M, Chaudhary R, Zobeiri M, Lüttjohann A, Mergia E, Baumann A, Balfanz S, Budde B, van Luijtelaar G, Pape HC, Koesling D, Budde T. Modulation of Hyperpolarization-Activated Inward Current and Thalamic Activity Modes by Different Cyclic Nucleotides. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:369. [PMID: 30405353 PMCID: PMC6207575 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The hyperpolarization-activated inward current, Ih, plays a key role in the generation of rhythmic activities in thalamocortical (TC) relay neurons. Cyclic nucleotides, like 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), facilitate voltage-dependent activation of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels by shifting the activation curve of Ih to more positive values and thereby terminating the rhythmic burst activity. The role of 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in modulation of Ih is not well understood. To determine the possible role of the nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive cGMP-forming guanylyl cyclase 2 (NO-GC2) in controlling the thalamic Ih, the voltage-dependency and cGMP/cAMP-sensitivity of Ih was analyzed in TC neurons of the dorsal part of the lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) in wild type (WT) and NO-GC2-deficit (NO-GC2−/−) mice. Whole cell voltage clamp recordings in brain slices revealed a more hyperpolarized half maximal activation (V1/2) of Ih in NO-GC2−/− TC neurons compared to WT. Different concentrations of 8-Br-cAMP/8-Br-cGMP induced dose-dependent positive shifts of V1/2 in both strains. Treatment of WT slices with lyase enzyme (adenylyl and guanylyl cyclases) inhibitors (SQ22536 and ODQ) resulted in further hyperpolarized V1/2. Under current clamp conditions NO-GC2−/− neurons exhibited a reduction in the Ih-dependent voltage sag and reduced action potential firing with hyperpolarizing and depolarizing current steps, respectively. Intrathalamic rhythmic bursting activity in brain slices and in a simplified mathematical model of the thalamic network was reduced in the absence of NO-GC2. In freely behaving NO-GC2−/− mice, delta and theta band activity was enhanced during active wakefulness (AW) as well as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in cortical local field potential (LFP) in comparison to WT. These findings indicate that cGMP facilitates Ih activation and contributes to a tonic activity in TC neurons. On the network level basal cGMP production supports fast rhythmic activity in the cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maia Datunashvili
- Institut für Physiologie I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Rahul Chaudhary
- Institut für Physiologie I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Mehrnoush Zobeiri
- Institut für Physiologie I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Annika Lüttjohann
- Institut für Physiologie I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Evanthia Mergia
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Arnd Baumann
- Institute of Complex Systems, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Sabine Balfanz
- Institute of Complex Systems, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Björn Budde
- Institut für Physiologie I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | | | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institut für Physiologie I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
| | - Doris Koesling
- Institut für Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Budde
- Institut für Physiologie I, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität, Münster, Germany
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Guo Y, Xu C, Man AWC, Bai B, Luo C, Huang Y, Xu A, Vanhoutte PM, Wang Y. Endothelial SIRT1 prevents age-induced impairment of vasodilator responses by enhancing the expression and activity of soluble guanylyl cyclase in smooth muscle cells. Cardiovasc Res 2018; 115:678-690. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Revised: 06/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Aims
Aged arteries are characterized by attenuated vasodilator and enhanced vasoconstrictor responses, which contribute to the development of diseases such as arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. SIRT1 is a longevity regulator exerting protective functions against vascular ageing, although the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. This study was designed to elucidate the signalling pathways involved in endothelial SIRT1-mediated vasodilator responses in the arteries of young and old mice. In particular, the contributions of nitric oxide (NO), endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX), and/or soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) were examined.
Methods and results
Wild type (WT) or eNOS knockout (eKO) mice were cross-bred with those overexpressing human SIRT1 selectively in the vascular endothelium (EC-SIRT1). Arteries were collected from the four groups of mice (WT, EC-SIRT1, eKO, and eKO-SIRT1) to measure isometric relaxations/contractions in response to various pharmacological agents. Reduction of NO bioavailability, hyper-activation of COX signalling, and down-regulation of sGC collectively contributed to the decreased vasodilator and increased vasoconstrictor responses in arteries of old WT mice. Overexpression of endothelial SIRT1 did not block the reduction in NO bioavailability but attenuated the hyper-activation of COX-2, thus protecting mice from age-induced vasoconstrictor responses in arteries of EC-SIRT1 mice. Deficiency of eNOS did not affect endothelial SIRT1-mediated anti-contractile activities in arteries of eKO-SIRT1 mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that overexpression of endothelial SIRT1 enhanced Notch signalling to up-regulate sGCβ1 in smooth muscle cells. Increased expression and activity of sGC prevented age-induced hyper-activation of COX-2 as well as the conversion of endothelium-dependent relaxations to contractions in arteries of EC-SIRT1 mice.
Conclusion
Age-induced down-regulation of sGC and up-regulation of COX-2 in arteries are at least partly attributable to the loss-of-endothelial SIRT1 function. Enhancing the endothelial expression and function of SIRT1 prevents early vascular ageing and maintains vasodilator responses, thus representing promising drug targets for cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, LKS Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, LKS Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Andy W C Man
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, LKS Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Bo Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, LKS Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cuiting Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, LKS Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Huang
- Institute of Vascular Medicine, Shenzhen Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Aimin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, LKS Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Paul M Vanhoutte
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, LKS Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, LKS Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
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Friebe A, Voußen B, Groneberg D. NO-GC in cells 'off the beaten track'. Nitric Oxide 2018; 77:12-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2018.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Kalyanaraman H, Schall N, Pilz RB. Nitric oxide and cyclic GMP functions in bone. Nitric Oxide 2018; 76:62-70. [PMID: 29550520 PMCID: PMC9990405 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Nitric oxide plays a central role in the regulation of skeletal homeostasis. In cells of the osteoblastic lineage, NO is generated in response to mechanical stimulation and estrogen exposure. Via activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKGs), NO enhances proliferation, differentiation, and survival of bone-forming cells in the osteoblastic lineage. NO also regulates the differentiation and activity of bone-resorbing osteoclasts; here the effects are largely inhibitory and partly cGMP-independent. We review the skeletal phenotypes of mice deficient in NO synthases and PKGs, and the effects of NO and cGMP on bone formation and resorption. We examine the roles of NO and cGMP in bone adaptation to mechanical stimulation. Finally, we discuss preclinical and clinical data showing that NO donors and NO-independent sGC activators may protect against estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss. sGC represents an attractive target for the treatment of osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hema Kalyanaraman
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0652, USA
| | - Nadine Schall
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0652, USA
| | - Renate B Pilz
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0652, USA.
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Discovery and development of next generation sGC stimulators with diverse multidimensional pharmacology and broad therapeutic potential. Nitric Oxide 2018; 78:72-80. [PMID: 29859918 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2018.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO)-sensitive soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) to cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophophate (cGMP), transduces many of the physiological effects of the gasotransmitter NO. Upon binding of NO to the prosthetic heme group of sGC, a conformational change occurs, resulting in enzymatic activation and increased production of cGMP. cGMP modulates several downstream cellular and physiological responses, including but not limited to vasodilation. Impairment of this signaling system and altered NO-cGMP homeostasis have been implicated in cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, gastrointestinal, central nervous system, and hepatic pathologies. sGC stimulators, small molecule drugs that synergistically increase sGC enzyme activity with NO, have shown great potential to treat a variety of diseases via modulation of NO-sGC-cGMP signaling. Here, we give an overview of novel, orally available sGC stimulators that Ironwood Pharmaceuticals is developing. We outline the non-clinical and clinical studies, highlighting pharmacological and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles, including pharmacodynamic (PD) effects, and efficacy in a variety of disease models.
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Lehners M, Dobrowinski H, Feil S, Feil R. cGMP Signaling and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Plasticity. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2018; 5:jcdd5020020. [PMID: 29671769 PMCID: PMC6023364 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd5020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclic GMP regulates multiple cell types and functions of the cardiovascular system. This review summarizes the effects of cGMP on the growth and survival of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), which display remarkable phenotypic plasticity during the development of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Recent studies have shown that VSMCs contribute to the development of atherosclerotic plaques by clonal expansion and transdifferentiation to macrophage-like cells. VSMCs express a variety of cGMP generators and effectors, including NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO-GC) and cGMP-dependent protein kinase type I (cGKI), respectively. According to the traditional view, cGMP inhibits VSMC proliferation, but this concept has been challenged by recent findings supporting a stimulatory effect of the NO-cGMP-cGKI axis on VSMC growth. Here, we summarize the relevant studies with a focus on VSMC growth regulation by the NO-cGMP-cGKI pathway in cultured VSMCs and mouse models of atherosclerosis, restenosis, and angiogenesis. We discuss potential reasons for inconsistent results, such as the use of genetic versus pharmacological approaches and primary versus subcultured cells. We also explore how modern methods for cGMP imaging and cell tracking could help to improve our understanding of cGMP’s role in vascular plasticity. We present a revised model proposing that cGMP promotes phenotypic switching of contractile VSMCs to VSMC-derived plaque cells in atherosclerotic lesions. Regulation of vascular remodeling by cGMP is not only an interesting new therapeutic strategy, but could also result in side effects of clinically used cGMP-elevating drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz Lehners
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Hyazinth Dobrowinski
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Susanne Feil
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Robert Feil
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) signalling has pleiotropic roles in biology and a crucial function in cardiovascular homeostasis. Tremendous knowledge has been accumulated on the mechanisms of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-NO pathway, but how this highly reactive, free radical gas signals to specific targets for precise regulation of cardiovascular function remains the focus of much intense research. In this Review, we summarize the updated paradigms on NOS regulation, NO interaction with reactive oxidant species in specific subcellular compartments, and downstream effects of NO in target cardiovascular tissues, while emphasizing the latest developments of molecular tools and biomarkers to modulate and monitor NO production and bioavailability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Farah
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institut de Recherche Experimentale et Clinique (IREC) and Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, UCL-FATH Tour Vésale 5th Floor, 52 Avenue Mounier B1.53.09, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Lauriane Y M Michel
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institut de Recherche Experimentale et Clinique (IREC) and Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, UCL-FATH Tour Vésale 5th Floor, 52 Avenue Mounier B1.53.09, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Luc Balligand
- Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics (FATH), Institut de Recherche Experimentale et Clinique (IREC) and Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, UCL-FATH Tour Vésale 5th Floor, 52 Avenue Mounier B1.53.09, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
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Mónica FZ, Antunes E. Stimulators and activators of soluble guanylate cyclase for urogenital disorders. Nat Rev Urol 2017; 15:42-54. [DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2017.181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Decaluwé K, Pauwels B, Boydens C, Thoonen R, Buys ES, Brouckaert P, Van de Voorde J. Erectile Dysfunction in Heme-Deficient Nitric Oxide-Unresponsive Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Knock-In Mice. J Sex Med 2017; 14:196-204. [PMID: 28161078 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Revised: 11/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The nitric oxide (NO), soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway is the leading pathway in penile erection. AIM To assess erectile function in a mouse model in which sGC is deficient in heme (apo-sGC) and unresponsive to NO. METHODS Mutant mice (sGCβ1ki/ki) that express an sGC enzyme that retains basal activity but fails to respond to NO because of heme deficiency (apo-sGC) were used. Isolated corpora cavernosa from sGCβ1ki/ki and wild-type mice were mounted in vitro for isometric tension recordings in response to sGC-dependent and -independent vasorelaxant agents. In addition, the erectile effects of some of these agents were tested in vivo at intracavernosal injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES In vitro and in vivo recordings of erectile responses in sGCβ1ki/ki and wild-type mice after stimulation with sGC-dependent and -independent vasorelaxant agents. RESULTS NO-induced responses were abolished in sGCβ1ki/ki mice in vitro and in vivo. The ability of the heme-dependent, NO-independent sGC stimulator BAY 41-2272 to relax the corpora cavernosa was markedly attenuated in sGCβ1ki/ki mice. In contrast, the relaxation response to the heme- and NO-independent sGC activator BAY 58-2667 was significantly enhanced in sGCβ1ki/ki mice. The relaxing effect of sGC-independent vasorelaxant agents was similar in wild-type and sGCβ1ki/ki mice, illustrating that the observed alterations in vasorelaxation are limited to NO-sGC-cGMP-mediated processes. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that sGC is the sole target of NO in erectile physiology. Furthermore, this study provides indirect evidence that, in addition to sGCα1β1, sGCα2β1 is important for erectile function. In addition, the significant relaxation observed in sGCβ1ki/ki mice with the cumulative addition of the sGC activator BAY 58-2667 indicates that sGC activators might offer value in treating erectile dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Decaluwé
- Department of Pharmacology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart Pauwels
- Department of Pharmacology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Robrecht Thoonen
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emmanuel S Buys
- Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research, Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter Brouckaert
- Inflammation Research Center, Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Nagasaka Y, Wepler M, Thoonen R, Sips PY, Allen K, Graw JA, Yao V, Burns SM, Muenster S, Brouckaert P, Miller K, Solt K, Buys ES, Ichinose F, Zapol WM. Sensitivity to Sevoflurane anesthesia is decreased in mice with a congenital deletion of Guanylyl Cyclase-1 alpha. BMC Anesthesiol 2017; 17:76. [PMID: 28615047 PMCID: PMC5471676 DOI: 10.1186/s12871-017-0368-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Volatile anesthetics increase levels of the neurotransmitter nitric oxide (NO) and the secondary messenger molecule cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the brain. NO activates the enzyme guanylyl cyclase (GC) to produce cGMP. We hypothesized that the NO-GC-cGMP pathway contributes to anesthesia-induced unconsciousness. METHODS Sevoflurane-induced loss and return of righting reflex (LORR and RORR, respectively) were studied in wild-type mice (WT) and in mice congenitally deficient in the GC-1α subunit (GC-1-/- mice). Spatial distributions of GC-1α and the GC-2α subunit in the brain were visualized by in situ hybridization. Brain cGMP levels were measured in WT and GC-1-/- mice after inhaling oxygen with or without 1.2% sevoflurane for 20 min. RESULTS Higher concentrations of sevoflurane were required to induce LORR in GC-1-/- mice than in WT mice (1.5 ± 0.1 vs. 1.1 ± 0.2%, respectively, n = 14 and 14, P < 0.0001). Similarly, RORR occurred at higher concentrations of sevoflurane in GC-1-/- mice than in WT mice (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 0.8 ± 0.1%, respectively, n = 14 and 14, P < 0.0001). Abundant GC-1α and GC-2α mRNA expression was detected in the cerebral cortex, medial habenula, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Inhaling 1.2% sevoflurane for 20 min increased cGMP levels in the brains of WT mice from 2.6 ± 2.0 to 5.5 ± 3.7 pmol/mg protein (n = 13 and 10, respectively, P = 0.0355) but not in GC-1-/- mice. CONCLUSION Congenital deficiency of GC-1α abolished the ability of sevoflurane anesthesia to increase cGMP levels in the whole brain, and increased the concentration of sevoflurane required to induce LORR. Impaired NO-cGMP signaling raises the threshold for producing sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuko Nagasaka
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martin Wepler
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robrecht Thoonen
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Patrick Y Sips
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Kaitlin Allen
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jan A Graw
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vincent Yao
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sara M Burns
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium and Inflammation Research Center, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefan Muenster
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter Brouckaert
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Keith Miller
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ken Solt
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emmanuel S Buys
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fumito Ichinose
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Warren M Zapol
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Kraehling JR, Sessa WC. Contemporary Approaches to Modulating the Nitric Oxide-cGMP Pathway in Cardiovascular Disease. Circ Res 2017; 120:1174-1182. [PMID: 28360348 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.117.303776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial cells lining the vessel wall control important aspects of vascular homeostasis. In particular, the production of endothelium-derived nitric oxide and activation of soluble guanylate cyclase promotes endothelial quiescence and governs vasomotor function and proportional remodeling of blood vessels. Here, we discuss novel approaches to improve endothelial nitric oxide generation and preserve its bioavailability. We also discuss therapeutic opportunities aimed at activation of soluble guanylate cyclase for multiple cardiovascular indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan R Kraehling
- From the Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program (J.R.K.) and Department of Pharmacology (W.C.S.), Yale University, School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - William C Sessa
- From the Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program (J.R.K.) and Department of Pharmacology (W.C.S.), Yale University, School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
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Van Rymenant E, Van Camp J, Pauwels B, Boydens C, Vanden Daele L, Beerens K, Brouckaert P, Smagghe G, Kerimi A, Williamson G, Grootaert C, Van de Voorde J. Ferulic acid-4-O-sulfate rather than ferulic acid relaxes arteries and lowers blood pressure in mice. J Nutr Biochem 2017; 44:44-51. [PMID: 28391055 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2017.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Consumption of foods rich in ferulic acid (FA) such as wholegrain cereals, or FA precursors such as chlorogenic acids in coffee, is inversely correlated with risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. As a result of digestion and phase II metabolism in the gut and liver, FA is converted predominantly into ferulic acid-4-O-sulfate (FA-sul), an abundant plasma metabolite. Although FA-sul is the main metabolite, very little has been reported regarding its bioactivities. We have compared the ex vivo vasorelaxing effect of FA and FA-sul (10-7-3.10-5M) on isolated mouse arteries mounted in tissue myographs. FA-sul, but not FA, elicited a concentration-dependent vasorelaxation of saphenous and femoral arteries and aortae. The FA-sul-mediated vasorelaxation was blunted by 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one, a soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor. The role of sGC was confirmed in femoral arteries isolated from sGCα1(-/-) knockout mice. Furthermore, 4-aminopyridine, a specific inhibitor of voltage-dependent potassium channels, significantly decreased FA-sul-mediated effects. In anesthetized mice, intravenous injection of FA-sul decreased mean arterial pressure, whereas FA had no effect, confirming the results obtained ex vivo. FA-sul is probably one of the major metabolites accounting for the blood pressure-lowering effects associated with FA consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien Van Rymenant
- Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - John Van Camp
- Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Bart Pauwels
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Charlotte Boydens
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Laura Vanden Daele
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Katrijn Beerens
- Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Peter Brouckaert
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University-VIB, Technologiepark 927, 9052 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Guy Smagghe
- Department of Crop Protection, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Asimina Kerimi
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Gary Williamson
- School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
| | - Charlotte Grootaert
- Department of Food Safety and Food Quality, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
| | - Johan Van de Voorde
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
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50
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Vandenwijngaert S, Swinnen M, Walravens AS, Beerens M, Gillijns H, Caluwé E, Tainsh RE, Nathan DI, Allen K, Brouckaert P, Bartunek J, Scherrer-Crosbie M, Bloch KD, Bloch DB, Janssens SP, Buys ES. Decreased Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Contributes to Cardiac Dysfunction Induced by Chronic Doxorubicin Treatment in Mice. Antioxid Redox Signal 2017; 26:153-164. [PMID: 27505125 PMCID: PMC5278809 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2015.6542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The use of doxorubicin, a potent chemotherapeutic agent, is limited by cardiotoxicity. We tested the hypothesis that decreased soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) enzyme activity contributes to the development of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. RESULTS Doxorubicin administration (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally [IP]) reduced cardiac sGC activity in wild-type (WT) mice. To investigate whether decreased sGC activity contributes to doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, we studied mice with cardiomyocyte-specific deficiency of the sGC α1-subunit (mice with cardiomyocyte-specific deletion of exon 6 of the sGCα1 allele [sGCα1-/-CM]). After 12 weeks of doxorubicin administration (2 mg/kg/week IP), left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction was greater in sGCα1-/-CM than WT mice. To further assess whether reduced sGC activity plays a pathogenic role in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, we studied a mouse model in which decreased cardiac sGC activity was induced by cardiomyocyte-specific expression of a dominant negative sGCα1 mutant (DNsGCα1) upon doxycycline removal (Tet-off). After 8 weeks of doxorubicin administration, DNsGCα1tg/+, but not WT, mice displayed LV systolic dysfunction and dilatation. The difference in cardiac function and remodeling between DNsGCα1tg/+ and WT mice was even more pronounced after 12 weeks of treatment. Further impairment of cardiac function was attenuated when DNsGCα1 gene expression was inhibited (beginning at 8 weeks of doxorubicin treatment) by administering doxycycline. Furthermore, doxorubicin-associated reactive oxygen species generation was higher in sGCα1-deficient than WT hearts. Innovation and Conclusion: These data demonstrate that a reduction in cardiac sGC activity worsens doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in mice and identify sGC as a potential therapeutic target. Various pharmacological sGC agonists are in clinical development or use and may represent a promising approach to limit doxorubicin-associated cardiotoxicity. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 153-164.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Vandenwijngaert
- 1 Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School , Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Melissa Swinnen
- 2 Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Manu Beerens
- 2 Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hilde Gillijns
- 2 Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ellen Caluwé
- 2 Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robert E Tainsh
- 1 Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School , Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Daniel I Nathan
- 1 Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School , Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kaitlin Allen
- 1 Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School , Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter Brouckaert
- 3 Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University and Flanders Institute for Biotechnology , Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jozef Bartunek
- 2 Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium .,4 Cardiovascular Center , OLV Hospital, Aalst, Belgium
| | - Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie
- 5 Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kenneth D Bloch
- 1 Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School , Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research, Boston, Massachusetts.,5 Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Donald B Bloch
- 1 Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School , Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research, Boston, Massachusetts.,6 Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School , Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Stefan P Janssens
- 2 Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven , Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emmanuel S Buys
- 1 Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute and Harvard Medical School , Anesthesia Center for Critical Care Research, Boston, Massachusetts
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