REMOTE TRAUMA SENSITIZES HEPATIC MICROCIRCULATION TO ENDOTHELIN VIA CAVEOLIN INHIBITION OF eNOS ACTIVITY

Rho-kinase activation contributes to Lps-induced impairment of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation by endothelin-1 in cultured hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells

The purpose of this study is to understand the role of rho-kinase (ROCK-2) in the regulation of liver microcirculation after inflammatory stress. Endothelin-1 (ET-1)-induced nitric oxide (NO) is essential in the regulation of blood flow in hepatic sinusoids. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) inhibits this ET-1-induced NO production and disrupts liver microcirculation; however, the exact molecular mechanism is unknown. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells were isolated, pretreated with 10 ng/mL LPS for 6 h, and treated with 10 μM Y27632 (ROCK-2 inhibitor) for 30 min and 10 nM ET-1 for 30 min. Lipopolysaccharide induced RhoA membrane translocation that was attenuated by methyl-β-cyclodextrin (cholesterol sequester) or targeted mutation of caveolin-1. Lipopolysaccharide increased ROCK-2 expressions (+60%) and ROCK-2 activity (+36%). Endothelin-1 increased endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activity (+70%), but LPS inhibited this ET-1-mediated eNOS response. Treatment with Y27632 restored ET-1-mediated eNOS activity (+61%) and stimulated NO production in the perinuclear region after LPS pretreatment. This treatment reduced cofilin-Ser3 phosphorylation (-73%), increased vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein-Ser239 phosphorylation (+88%), and stimulated globular actin/eNOS association. Lipopolysaccharide induces Rho/ROCKs signaling pathway to disrupt the ET-1-mediated eNOS activation in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Rho-kinase ROCK-2 inhibition restores ET-1-mediated NO production after the LPS pretreatment, in part, through an increase in actin depolymerization.

Liver sinusoidal endothelial dysfunction after LPS administration: a role for inducible-nitric oxide synthase

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Sepsis is associated with microvascular dysfunction, which contributes to organ failure. Intrahepatic endothelial dysfunction occurs after exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) has been shown to contribute to systemic vascular dysfunction after LPS administration. However, little is known about the effects of iNOS induction on the liver microcirculation. This study aimed at exploring, in the isolated rat liver perfusion model, the role of iNOS induction in liver microvascular dysfunction associated with endotoxemia.

METHODS

All experiments were conducted in male Wistar rats, after 24 h of LPS (5 mg/kg i.p.) or saline administration in the presence or absence of the iNOS inhibitor 1400 W (3 mg/kg i.p.), administered 3 and 23 h after LPS/saline injection. Liver microvascular function was assessed by isolated liver perfusion, followed by molecular studies and liver function tests.

RESULTS

At 24 h, LPS induced liver endothelial dysfunction, as shown by a decreased vasodilatory response to acetylcholine and decreased eNOS phosphorylation at Ser(1176). This was associated with liver injury, assessed by an increase in liver transaminases and decreased indocyanin green clearance, and increased nitrooxidative stress. iNOS inhibition prevented liver endothelial dysfunction, blunted the development of liver injury and attenuated LPS-induced nitrooxidative stress.

CONCLUSIONS

iNOS upregulation contributes to liver microvascular dysfunction in endotoxemia. This suggests that this mechanism deserves further exploration in studies addressing liver protection in the context of severe acute bacterial infection.

The role of caveolae in endothelial cell dysfunction with a focus on nutrition and environmental toxicants

Complications of vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, are the number one cause of death in Western societies. Dysfunction of endothelial cells is a critical underlying cause of the pathology of atherosclerosis. Lipid rafts, and especially caveolae, are enriched in endothelial cells, and down-regulation of the caveolin-1 gene may provide protection against the development of atherosclerosis. There is substantial evidence that exposure to environmental pollution is linked to cardiovascular mortality, and that persistent organic pollutants can markedly contribute to endothelial cell dysfunction and an increase in vascular inflammation. Nutrition can modulate the toxicity of environmental pollutants, and evidence suggests that these affect health and disease outcome associated with chemical insults. Because caveolae can provide a regulatory platform for pro-inflammatory signalling associated with vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, we suggest a link between atherogenic risk and functional changes of caveolae by environmental factors such as dietary lipids and organic pollutants. For example, we have evidence that endothelial caveolae play a role in uptake of persistent organic pollutants, an event associated with subsequent production of inflammatory mediators. Functional properties of caveolae can be modulated by nutrition, such as dietary lipids (e.g. fatty acids) and plant-derived polyphenols (e.g. flavonoids), which change activation of caveolae-associated signalling proteins. The following review will focus on caveolae providing a platform for pro-inflammatory signalling, and the role of caveolae in endothelial cell functional changes associated with environmental mediators such as nutrients and toxicants, which are known to modulate the pathology of vascular diseases.

Caveolin-1 mediates endotoxin inhibition of endothelin-1-induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) plays a key role in the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation in liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs). In the presence of endotoxin, an increase in caveolin-1 (Cav-1) expression impairs ET-1/eNOS signaling; however, the molecular mechanism is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of Cav-1 in the regulation of LPS suppression of ET-1-mediated eNOS activation in LSECs by examining the effect of caveolae disruption using methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (CD) and filipin. Treatment with 5 mM CD for 30 min increased eNOS activity (+255%, P < 0.05). A dose (0.25 microg/ml) of filipin for 30 min produced a similar effect (+111%, P < 0.05). CD induced the perinuclear localization of Cav-1 and eNOS and stimulated NO production in the same region. Readdition of 0.5 mM cholesterol to saturate CD reversed these effects. Both the combined treatment with CD and ET-1 (CD + ET-1) and with filipin and ET-1 stimulated eNOS activity; however, pretreatment with endotoxin (LPS) abrogated these effects. Following LPS pretreatment, CD + ET-1 failed to stimulate eNOS activity (+51%, P > 0.05), which contributed to the reduced levels of eNOS-Ser1177 phosphorylation and eNOS-Thr495 dephosphorylation, the LPS/CD-induced overexpression and translocation of Cav-1 in the perinuclear region, and the increased perinuclear colocalization of eNOS with Cav-1. These results supported the hypothesis that Cav-1 mediates the action of endotoxin in suppressing ET-1-mediated eNOS activation and demonstrated that the manipulation of caveolae produces significant effects on ET-1-mediated eNOS activity in LSECs.

Vascular biology and pathobiology of the liver: Report of a single-topic symposium

Portal hypertension and its complications account for the majority of morbidity and mortality that occurs in patients with cirrhosis. In addition to portal hypertension, a number of other vascular syndromes are also of great importance, especially the ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. With the identification of major vascular defects that could account for many of the clinical sequelae of these syndromes, the liver vasculature field has now integrated very closely with the broader vascular biology discipline. In that spirit, the Henry and Lillian Stratton Basic Research Single Topic Conference was held on the topic of Vascular Biology and Pathobiology of the Liver. The course took place approximately 10 years after the first American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD)-sponsored conference on this topic that occurred in Reston, Virginia. The conference initiated with an introduction to basic vascular cell signaling and then explored vascular biology specifically as it relates to liver cells. Subsequently, specific disease syndromes were discussed in more detail including portal hypertension and IR injury. Finally, clinical and translational sessions focused on emerging therapies and technologies to treat vascular diseases of the liver.

Opposite regulation of endothelial NO synthase by HSP90 and caveolin in liver and lungs of rats with hepatopulmonary syndrome

The hepatopulmonary syndrome is a complication of cirrhosis that associates an overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) in lungs and a NO defect in the liver. Because endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) is regulated by caveolin that decreases and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) that increases NO production, we hypothesized that an opposite regulation of eNOS by caveolin and HSP90 might explain the opposite NO production in both organs. Cirrhosis was induced by a chronic bile duct ligation (CBDL) performed 15, 30, and 60 days before sample collection and pharmacological tests. eNOS, caveolin, and HSP90 expression were measured in hepatic and lung tissues. Pharmacological tests to assess NO released by shear stress and by acetylcholine were performed in livers (n = 28) and lungs (n = 28) isolated from normal and CBDL rats. In lungs from CBDL rats, indirect evidence of high NO production induced by shear stress was associated with a high binding of HSP90 and a low binding of caveolin to eNOS. Opposite results were observed in livers from CBDL rats. Our study shows an opposite posttranslational regulation of eNOS by HSP90 and caveolin in lungs and liver from rats with CBDL. Such opposite posttranslational regulation of eNOS by regulatory proteins may explain in part the pulmonary overproduction of NO and the hepatic NO defect in rats with hepatopulmonary syndrome.

Which Gender is Better Positioned in the Process of Liver Surgery? Male or Female?

Liver surgery is a process which induces various types of stress on the liver including the total occlusion of the blood inflow, hemorrhage, massive volume reduction, and postoperative infection. Animal studies have shown a gender dimorphic response of the liver for various stresses such as ischemia/reperfusion, hemorrhage/resuscitation, hepatectomy, portal branch ligation, and endotoxemia. Most of these studies demonstrated the female liver to be more tolerant under stressful conditions than the male liver. Estrogen, which is a representative female sex hormone, may be one of the responsible factors for this gender dimorphism. The mechanism of estrogen's salutary effect includes circulatory improvement, a reduced inflammatory response, a reduced oxygen radical production, and an improved hepatic regeneration. However, the clinical evidence that supports the results of these experimental studies is still insufficient. A well-controlled prospective clinical study is necessary to clarify the role of gender or sex hormone in the process of liver surgery. This may not only lead to a deeper understanding of the liver pathophysiology, but also to the possibility of hepatoprotective therapy using sex hormone modulators. This review summarizes the current understanding of gender dimorphism in the tolerance of the liver to various hepatic stresses, which occur during the process of major liver surgery.

Increased gene and protein expression of the novel eNOS regulatory protein NOSTRIN and a variant in alcoholic hepatitis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Increased intrahepatic resistance in cirrhosis is associated with reduced endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) activity and exacerbated by superimposed inflammation. NOSTRIN induces intracellular translocation of eNOS and reduces NO generation. Our aims were to quantify and compare hepatic expression of eNOS, NOSTRIN, NOSIP, and caveolin-1 in alcoholic cirrhosis with or without superimposed alcoholic hepatitis and in normal livers.

METHODS

Biopsy specimens from 20 decompensated alcoholic cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension (10 with alcoholic hepatitis) and 6 normal livers were analyzed: real-time polymerase chain reaction for quantification of messenger RNA; Western blotting; and enzyme assays of eNOS in normal and diseased liver were performed. Localization and interaction of eNOS and NOSTRIN in liver was assessed by immunohistochemistry and co-immunoprecipitation.

RESULTS

eNOS mRNA was significantly increased and eNOS activity decreased in alcoholic hepatitis patients, despite no differences in eNOS protein expression among the patients. Patients with alcoholic hepatitis had significantly higher hepatic levels of NOSTRIN and caveolin-1 mRNA compared with cirrhosis alone or normal biopsy specimens. A NOSTRIN splice variant, not present in normal tissue, was detected on mRNA and protein levels in all alcoholic patients. Coimmunoprecipitation demonstrated association among NOSTRIN, eNOS, and caveolin-1.

CONCLUSIONS

An increase in mRNA and protein of NOSTRIN and its shortened variant in alcoholic hepatitis may partly account for the paradox of increased mRNA levels and normal protein expression but decreased enzymatic activity of eNOS in diseased liver. Such intracellular regulators of NO production may be important in the development of increased intrahepatic resistance in alcoholic hepatitis patients.

Inhibition of endothelin-1-mediated up-regulation of iNOS by bosentan ameliorates endotoxin-induced liver injury in cirrhosis

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been shown to regulate the expression of various genes in addition to its vasoconstrictor role in the liver. Elevated levels of ET-1 during cirrhosis play an important role in the observed microcirculatory dysfunction; however, its role as a transcription regulator remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the role of ET-1 in the hepatic gene expression of vasomediators after cirrhosis in response to LPS. Cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) for 1 or 3 weeks in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Following 1 or 3 weeks of BDL or sham operation (sham), rats received an intravenous (i.v.) injection of bosentan, a dual-selective ETA/B receptor antagonist (30 mg/kg bw) or saline, and an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LPS (1 mg/kg bw). Plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly elevated in 1- and 3-week BDL animals. Six hours following LPS, the elevated ALT levels were markedly exacerbated in 3-week BDL animals, which were significantly ameliorated with bosentan treatment. LPS resulted in increased ET-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA expressions in both sham and BDL rats. Bosentan significantly inhibited the up-regulations of ET-1, iNOS, and COX-2 mRNA. Our data strongly suggest that ET-1 plays an important role in up-regulating the expression of iNOS, COX-2, and ET-1 itself in hepatic tissue following LPS challenge, which may contribute to the observed hepatocellular injury during endotoxemia in cirrhosis. Thus, due to significant increases in ET-1 levels during cirrhosis, ET-1 receptor blockade may prove to be of great therapeutic value in the treatment of cirrhotic patients exposed to secondary injuries such as endotoxemia.

Chronic ethanol sensitizes the liver to endotoxin via effects on endothelial nitric oxide synthase regulation

In vivo studies have shown that chronic alcohol consumption sensitizes the liver to endotoxemic shock, leading to liver microcirculation disruption. In the present study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms involved, focusing on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and regulation, which represents one of the major vasodilatory pathways. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an alcohol liquid diet or a control isocaloric diet for 5 weeks. Priming effects of ethanol were studied in a model with or without a 24-h LPS treatment (1 mg/kg body weight). At the end of the diet, liver tissue was harvested for western blot, reverse transcriptase-PCR, histological analysis, and immunostaining and blood for serum alanine aminotransferase analysis. Chronic ethanol and LPS alone induced a mild hepatitis and infiltration, respectively. Combined, LPS and chronic ethanol feeding showed a synergistic effect on the liver, leading to extensive steatohepatitis with extensive focal necrosis associated with significantly higher levels of serum ALT. Chronic ethanol and LPS significantly inhibited eNOS activity, but exerted their effects through different mechanisms. Caveolin-1, an eNOS inhibitory protein, was upregulated after LPS and chronic alcohol consumption. Additionally, chronic alcohol consumption down-regulated endothelin B receptor, eNOS protein levels, and eNOS phosphorylation. In conclusion, chronic ethanol consumption and LPS share a similar pathophysiology and both lead to the impairment of eNOS activity, but through distinct molecular mechanisms. The presence of focal necrosis in a mild stress model could provide a good animal study to investigate the advanced stages of alcoholic liver diseases.

LPS inhibits endothelin-1-induced endothelial NOS activation in hepatic sinusoidal cells through a negative feedback involving caveolin-1

During endotoxemia, liver microcirculation disruption is characterized by a hypersensitivity to the constrictor effects of endothelin 1 (ET-1). The shift of ET-1-mediated effects toward vasoconstriction may result from depressed ET-1-mediated vasodilation through decreased ET-1-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. We have previously shown that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) pretreatment abrogates ET-1-induced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) translocation, but its effects on eNOS activation are yet to be determined. Our aim was to assess the effects of LPS on ET-1-mediated eNOS activation in hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs) and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. SECs were treated with LPS (100 ng/mL) for 6 hours followed by 30 minutes ET-1 (10 nmol/L) stimulation. LPS significantly inhibited ET-1-mediated eNOS activation. This inhibition was associated with upregulation of Caveolin-1 (CAV-1) and a shift in ET-1-mediated eNOS phosphorylation from an activation (Ser1177) to an inhibition (Thr495). LPS treatment has been shown to induce ET-1 expression and secretion from endothelial cells. We therefore investigated the role of endogenous ET-1 in the inhibition of ET-1 activation of eNOS after LPS. Antagonizing ET-1 effects and blocking its activation in LPS pretreated SECs decreased the LPS-induced overexpression of CAV-1 as well as the inhibition of ET-1-induced NOS activity. Furthermore, 6 hours of ET-1 treatment exerted the same effects on eNOS activity, phosphorylation, and CAV-1 expression as LPS treatment. In conclusion, LPS-induced suppression of ET-1-mediated eNOS activation is ET-1 dependent and suggest a pivotal role of CAV-1 in eNOS induction inhibition under stress.

Nonspecific increase of systemic neuron-specific enolase after trauma: clinical and experimental findings

The aim of this clinical and experimental study was to determine whether systemic neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a useful early marker of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and whether NSE is affected by ischemia/reperfusion damage of abdominal organs. Our study included patients with and without TBI (verified by computerized tomography) admitted within 6 h after trauma and male Sprague-Dawley rats with ischemia and reperfusion of the abdominal organs liver, gut, or kidney. Thirty-eight study patients included 13 with isolated TBI and 18 patients with multiple trauma and TBI. Seven patients had multiple trauma but no TBI. Fifteen rats were anaesthetized and subjected to isolated ischemia of the liver, gut, or kidney (n = 5 each) for 1 h, followed by reperfusion for 3 h. In patients, NSE increased over 2-fold versus the upper normal limit (10 microg/L) within 6 h after trauma, regardless of whether TBI had occurred or not. In rats, NSE increased over 3-fold versus laboratory controls during ischemia of the liver and kidney (both P < 0.0005), but not of the gut. NSE increased over 2-fold after onset of reperfusion of the liver and kidney (both P < 0.05), but not of the gut and increased over 3-fold after 3 h of reperfusion of the liver, gut (both P < 0.005), and kidney (P < 0.0005). Our data show that systemic NSE increases to similar degrees with and without TBI. Therefore, NSE is not a useful early marker of TBI in multiple trauma.

Carbon monoxide, but not endothelin-1, plays a major role for the hepatic microcirculation in a murine model of early systemic inflammation

OBJECTIVE

Endothelin-1 and carbon monoxide play a major role in the regulation of liver microcirculation in numerous disease states. During sepsis and endotoxemia, elevated formation of endothelin-1 results in reduced sinusoidal blood flow. However, the role of carbon monoxide and endothelin-1 and its receptors endothelin receptor A and endothelin receptor B in the deranged liver microcirculation during early systemic inflammation remains unclear.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized, controlled experiment.

SETTING

University animal laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Male C57/BL6 mice, weighing 23-27 g.

INTERVENTIONS

To induce a systemic inflammation, mice were treated with 1 hr of bilateral hind limb ischemia followed by 3 hrs or 6 hrs of reperfusion. Animals were randomly exposed to the nonselective endothelin receptor antagonist Ro-61-6612 (Tezosentan) and/or a continuous endothelin-1 infusion. Different animals were randomized to methylene chloride gavage or carbon monoxide inhalation during the reperfusion period.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

After ischemia/reperfusion, endothelin-1 plasma concentrations, endothelin-1 messenger RNA expression, and endothelin receptor A and B messenger RNA expression revealed no significant changes when compared with sham animals. After 6 hrs of ischemia/reperfusion, hepatic microcirculatory variables (sinusoidal density, sinusoidal diameter, and red blood cell velocity) deteriorated. Tezosentan after 6 hrs of ischemia/reperfusion did not improve the liver microcirculation, whereas the continuous infusion of endothelin-1 after 6 hrs of ischemia/reperfusion further impaired sinusoidal blood flow. Tezosentan treatment did not produce any alterations in hepatocellular injury or hepatic redox status when compared with the untreated animals receiving 6 hrs of ischemia/reperfusion. Animals receiving 6 hrs of ischemia/reperfusion and exposed to methylene chloride gavage or inhaled carbon monoxide during limb reperfusion showed significantly improved microcirculatory variables, hepatic redox status, and attenuated hepatocellular injury.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that endothelin-1 and the endothelin receptors A and B are not responsible for the observed hepatic microcirculatory and cellular dysfunction during early systemic inflammation, but exposure to exogenous carbon monoxide protected the hepatic microcirculation and improved the impaired hepatic cellular integrity and the hepatocellular redox status.

INDUCTION OF BIPHASIC CHANGES IN PERFUSION HETEROGENEITY OF RAT LIVER AFTER SEQUENTIAL STRESS IN VIVO

Trauma and subsequent sepsis lead to hepatic microcirculation disruption through various molecular mechanisms in which endothelin-1 (ET-1) plays a pivotal role. These stresses are thought to alter hepatic perfusion, heterogeneously leading to a mismatch of oxygen supply and demand. We hypothesize that mild remote stresses prime the liver to sequential sepsis through direct effects on the hepatic lobular flow distribution. We also propose to investigate the extent and the localization of the stress-induced microcirculation disruption. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups: sham, femur fracture (FFX), cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and sequential stress (SS). Hepatic intravital microscopy was performed for in vivo assessment of the liver microcirculation flow distribution under baseline and after ET-1 infusion. Red blood cell motion distribution was used to quantify intralobular and interlobular heterogeneity of perfusion (HoP). Intralobular HoP, which reflects lobular regulation sites, was significantly increased in the FFX and CLP groups, but was not changed or decreased in the SS group compared with control. ET-1 infusion exerted opposite effects depending on the pathological condition, further increasing the difference between groups. SS induced decrease in intralobular HoP, contrasted with a significant increase in interlobular HoP, suggesting multiple disruption sites. Our data suggest that increased intralobular HoP may be indicative of a compensatory response to moderate stress; its decrease under sequential stress conditions corresponds with a total breakdown of hepatic lobular flow regulation. This may be another instance of the rich variability characteristic of normal physiology that "decomplexifies" under critical decompensated conditions.

The Double Regulation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase by Caveolae and Caveolin: A Paradox Solved Through the Study of Angiogenesis

Caveolae are plasmalemmal invaginations formed by the sequestration of cholesterol and glycosphingolipids with self-associating molecules named caveolins, resulting in a platform for the assembly of signaling complexes at the surface of the cell. The enrichment of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase in caveolae and its direct interaction with caveolin both account for the exquisite regulation of nitric oxide production in cardiovascular tissues. Dissection of the angiogenic signaling cascade downstream vascular endothelial growth factor recently led to recognition that although the former enables the compartmentation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and optimizes the process leading to its activation, the latter maintains the enzyme in its inactivated state in the absence of stimulation. Alteration in caveolin abundance or subcellular location may lead endothelial cells or cardiac myocytes to favor one mode of regulation over the other and thereby alter the subtle equilibrium governing nitric oxide production in these cells.

Quantification of hepatic microcirculation heterogeneity of perfusion: Effects of endothelin-1

Stress alters hepatic perfusion heterogeneously leading to mismatch of oxygen supply and demand. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been linked to stress-mediated microcirculation disruption; however, perfusion heterogeneity is difficult to quantify. Therefore, we developed an image analysis based automated methodology for quantification of heterogeneity (Ht) of perfusion from hepatic intravital microscopy images (HIVM). In vivo assessment of the liver microcirculation flow distribution, before and after ET-1 infusion, was performed in male Sprague-Dawley rats using HIVM combined with FITC-labeled RBC infusion. Our method aimed to analyze parallel/spatial and series/temporal intralobular Ht of perfusion as well as interlobular Ht of perfusion and was based on automated RBC detection, tracking, and motion analysis. Compared with manual analysis, this method detected 40 times more RBC without increasing false positives (<0.5%). At baseline, parallel/spatial Ht was higher than series/temporal Ht of perfusion which suggested higher hepatic stellate cells asynchrony between sinusoids than within the same sinusoid. Following ET-1 infusion, parallel/spatial Ht transiently increased contrasting with a decrease in series/temporal Ht. In conclusion, we proposed a HIVM analysis methodology that allows assessment of Ht of perfusion within and between hepatic lobules and improved our understanding of ET-1 mediated effects on the hepatic microcirculation.

Thromboxane A2 from Kupffer cells contributes to the hyperresponsiveness of hepatic portal circulation to endothelin-1 in endotoxemic rats

We examined the role of thromboxane A2 (TXA2) in LPS-induced hyperresponsiveness of hepatic portal circulation to endothelins (ETs) and whether Kupffer cells are the primary source of TXA2 release in response to ET-1 in endotoxemia. After 6 h of LPS (1 mg/kg body wt ip) or saline (control), liver was isolated and perfused with recirculating Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer at a constant flow rate (100 ml.min(-1).kg body wt(-1)). ET-1 (10 pmol/min) was infused for 10 min. Portal pressure (PP) was continuously monitored during perfusion. Perfusate was sampled for enzyme immunoassay of thromboxane B2 (TXB2; the stable metabolite of TXA2) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. ET-1 infusion resulted in a significantly greater increase of PP in the LPS group than in controls. Both TXA2 synthase inhibitor furegrelate (Fureg) and TXA2 receptor antagonist SQ-29548 (SQ) substantially blocked enhanced increase of PP in the LPS group (4.9 +/- 0.4 vs. 3.6 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.6 +/- 0.6 mmHg for LPS alone, LPS + Fureg, and LPS + SQ, respectively; P < 0.05) while having no significant effect on controls. GdCl3 for inhibition of Kupffer cells had similar effects (4.9 +/- 0.4 mmHg vs. 2.9 +/- 0.4 mmHg for LPS alone and GdCl3 + LPS, respectively; P < 0.05). In addition, the attenuated PP after ET-1 was found concomitantly with significantly decreased releases of TXB2 and LDH in LPS rats treated with Fureg, SQ, and GdCl3 (886.6 +/- 73.4 vs. 110.8 +/- 0.8 vs. 114.8 +/- 54.7 vs. 135.2 +/- 45.2 pg/ml, respectively; P < 0.05). After 6 h of LPS, Kupffer cells in isolated cell preparations released a significant amount of TXA2 in response to ET-1. These results clearly indicate that hyperresponsiveness of hepatic portal circulation to ET-1 in endotoxemia is mediated at least in part by TXA2-induced receptor activation, and Kupffer cells are likely the primary source of increased TXA2 release.

LPS Inhibits Endothelin-1-Mediated eNOS Translocation to the Cell Membrane in Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this study were to develop a model for studying endothelin-1-mediated eNOS regulation in cultured sinusoidal endothelial cells and determine the effect of endothelin-1 and endotoxin (LPS) on eNOS localization.

METHODS

Changes in caveolin-1, calmodulin, and eNOS expression were determined by western blot and densitometric analysis. Endothelin receptor expression and localization and the intracellular localization of eNOS and caveolin-1 were assessed by confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

Sinusoidal endothelial cells expressed caveolin-1 and calmodulin, and expression was altered in cultured and passaged cells. eNOS expression decreased significantly in 24-h cultured cells, with expression dropping below the level of detection in passaged cells. Both endothelin A and endothelin B receptors were expressed on the cell surface after 24 h in culture. In 24-h cultured cells, caveolin-1 was localized in the perinuclear region and cell membrane, while eNOS was predominantly localized in the perinuclear region, where it co-localized with caveolin-1. Endothelin-1 stimulated eNOS translocation to the cell membrane. Pretreatment with LPS markedly inhibited the endothelin-1-mediated eNOS translocation.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrate an LPS-mediated uncoupling of endothelin receptor activation and eNOS translocation. This functional uncoupling may, in part, account for the hyperconstrictive effects of endothelin-1 during inflammatory conditions.