1
|
Niedermeyer S, Yun X, Trujillo M, Jiang H, Andrade MR, Kolb TM, Suresh K, Damarla M, Shimoda LA. A novel interaction between aquaporin 1 and caspase-3 in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2024; 326:L638-L645. [PMID: 38375595 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00017.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition in which remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature leads to hypertrophy of the muscular vascular wall and extension of muscle into nonmuscular arteries. These pathological changes are predominantly due to the abnormal proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), enhanced cellular functions that have been linked to increases in the cell membrane protein aquaporin 1 (AQP1). However, the mechanisms underlying the increased AQP1 abundance have not been fully elucidated. Here we present data that establishes a novel interaction between AQP1 and the proteolytic enzyme caspase-3. In silico analysis of the AQP1 protein reveals two caspase-3 cleavage sites on its C-terminal tail, proximal to known ubiquitin sites. Using biotin proximity ligase techniques, we establish that AQP1 and caspase-3 interact in both human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293A cells and rat PASMCs. Furthermore, we demonstrate that AQP1 levels increase and decrease with enhanced caspase-3 activity and inhibition, respectively. Ultimately, further work characterizing this interaction could provide the foundation for novel PH therapeutics.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) are integral to pulmonary vascular remodeling, a characteristic of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PASMCs isolated from robust animal models of disease demonstrate enhanced proliferation and migration, pathological functions associated with increased abundance of the membrane protein aquaporin 1 (AQP1). We present evidence of a novel interaction between the proteolytic enzyme caspase-3 and AQP1, which may control AQP1 abundance. These data suggest a potential new target for novel PAH therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Niedermeyer
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Xin Yun
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Marielena Trujillo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Haiyang Jiang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Manuella R Andrade
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Todd M Kolb
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Karthik Suresh
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Mahendra Damarla
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Larissa A Shimoda
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wagner K, Unger L, Salman MM, Kitchen P, Bill RM, Yool AJ. Signaling Mechanisms and Pharmacological Modulators Governing Diverse Aquaporin Functions in Human Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:1388. [PMID: 35163313 PMCID: PMC8836214 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of small integral membrane proteins that facilitate the bidirectional transport of water across biological membranes in response to osmotic pressure gradients as well as enable the transmembrane diffusion of small neutral solutes (such as urea, glycerol, and hydrogen peroxide) and ions. AQPs are expressed throughout the human body. Here, we review their key roles in fluid homeostasis, glandular secretions, signal transduction and sensation, barrier function, immunity and inflammation, cell migration, and angiogenesis. Evidence from a wide variety of studies now supports a view of the functions of AQPs being much more complex than simply mediating the passive flow of water across biological membranes. The discovery and development of small-molecule AQP inhibitors for research use and therapeutic development will lead to new insights into the basic biology of and novel treatments for the wide range of AQP-associated disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kim Wagner
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
| | - Lucas Unger
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK; (L.U.); (P.K.)
| | - Mootaz M. Salman
- Department of Physiology Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK;
- Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Philip Kitchen
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK; (L.U.); (P.K.)
| | - Roslyn M. Bill
- College of Health and Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK; (L.U.); (P.K.)
| | - Andrea J. Yool
- School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yun X, Philip NM, Jiang H, Smith Z, Huetsch JC, Damarla M, Suresh K, Shimoda LA. Upregulation of Aquaporin 1 Mediates Increased Migration and Proliferation in Pulmonary Vascular Cells From the Rat SU5416/Hypoxia Model of Pulmonary Hypertension. Front Physiol 2021; 12:763444. [PMID: 34975522 PMCID: PMC8718640 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.763444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disorder characterized by exuberant vascular remodeling leading to elevated pulmonary arterial pressure, maladaptive right ventricular remodeling, and eventual death. The factors controlling pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell (PASMC) and endothelial cell hyperplasia and migration, hallmark features of the vascular remodeling observed in PAH, remain poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that hypoxia upregulates the expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1), a water channel, in PASMCs, and that this upregulation was required for hypoxia-induced migration and proliferation. However, whether the same is true in a model of severe PAH and in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs) is unknown. In this study, we used the SU5416 plus hypoxia (SuHx) rat model of severe pulmonary hypertension, which mimics many of the features of human PAH, to determine whether AQP1 levels were altered in PASMCs and MVECs and contributed to a hyperproliferative/hypermigratory phenotype. Rats received a single injection of SU5416 (20 mg/kg) and then were placed in 10% O2 for 3 weeks, followed by a return to normoxic conditions for an additional 2 weeks. We found that AQP1 protein levels were increased in both PASMCs and MVECs from SuHx rats, even in the absence of sustained hypoxic exposure, and that in MVECs, the increase in protein expression was associated with upregulation of AQP1 mRNA levels. Silencing of AQP1 had no significant effect on PASMCs from control animals but normalized enhanced migration and proliferation observed in cells from SuHx rats. Loss of AQP1 also reduced migration and proliferation in MVECs from SuHx rats. Finally, augmenting AQP1 levels in MVECs from control rats using forced expression was sufficient to increase migration and proliferation. These results demonstrate a key role for enhanced AQP1 expression in mediating abnormal migration and proliferation in pulmonary vascular cells from a rodent model that reflects many of the features of human PAH.
Collapse
|
4
|
Shimoda LA. Cellular Pathways Promoting Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling by Hypoxia. Physiology (Bethesda) 2021; 35:222-233. [PMID: 32490752 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00039.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to hypoxia increases pulmonary vascular resistance, leading to elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and, potentially, right heart failure. Vascular remodeling is an important contributor to the increased pulmonary vascular resistance. Hyperproliferation of smooth muscle, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, and deposition of extracellular matrix lead to increased wall thickness, extension of muscle into normally non-muscular arterioles, and vascular stiffening. This review highlights intrinsic and extrinsic modulators contributing to the remodeling process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Larissa A Shimoda
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Aquaporin 1 promotes sensitivity of anthracycline chemotherapy in breast cancer by inhibiting β-catenin degradation to enhance TopoIIα activity. Cell Death Differ 2020; 28:382-400. [PMID: 32814878 PMCID: PMC7852611 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-00607-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthracyclines are a class of conventional and commonly used frontline chemotherapy drugs to treat breast cancer. However, the anthracycline-based regimens can only reduce breast cancer mortality by 20–30%. Furthermore, there is no appropriate biomarker for predicting responses to this kind of chemotherapy currently. Here we report our findings that may fill this gap by showing the AQP1 (Aquaporin1) protein as a potential response predictor in the anthracycline chemotherapy. We showed that breast cancer patients with a high level of AQP1 expression who underwent the anthracycline treatment had a better clinical outcome relative to those with a low level of AQP1 expression. In the exploration of the underlying mechanisms, we found that the AQP1 and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) competitively interacted with the 12 armadillo repeats of β-catenin, followed by the inhibition of the β-catenin degradation that led to β-catenin’s accumulation in the cytoplasm and nuclear translocation. The nuclear β-catenin interacted with TopoIIα and enhanced TopoIIα’s activity, which resulted in a high sensitivity of breast cancer cells to anthracyclines. We also found, the miR-320a-3p can attenuate the anthracycline’s chemosensitivity by inhibiting the AQP1 expression. Taken together, our findings suggest the efficacy of AQP1 as a response predictor in the anthracycline chemotherapy. The application of our study includes, but is not limited to, facilitating screening of the most appropriate breast cancer patients (who have a high AQP1 expression) for better anthracycline chemotherapy and improved prognosis purposes.
Collapse
|
6
|
Vassiliou AG, Keskinidou C, Kotanidou A, Frantzeskaki F, Dimopoulou I, Langleben D, Orfanos SE. Knockdown of bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor leads to decreased aquaporin 1 expression and function in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2020; 98:834-839. [PMID: 32687728 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2020-0185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were once considered only to have a role in bone formation. It is now known that they have pivotal roles in other organ diseases, including heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), where genetic mutations in the type II BMP receptor (BMPR2) are the commonest cause of receptor dysfunction. However, it has also recently been demonstrated that aquaporin 1 (Aqp1) dysfunction may contribute to PAH, highlighting that PAH development may involve more than one pathogenic pathway. Whether reduction in BMPR2 affects Aqp1 is unknown. We therefore studied Aqp1 in BMPR2-silenced human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs). We demonstrated reduced Aqp1 mRNA, protein, and function in the BMPR2-silenced cells. Additionally, BMPR2-silenced cells exhibited lower expression of BMP-signaling molecules. In conclusion, decreased BMPR2 appears to affect Aqp1 at the mRNA, protein, and functional levels. This observation may identify a contributory mechanism for PAH.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alice G Vassiliou
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Services, GP Livanos and M Simou Laboratories, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Chrysi Keskinidou
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Services, GP Livanos and M Simou Laboratories, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Medical School of Democritus University of Thrace, 6th km Alexandroupolis-Dragana, Greece
| | - Anastasia Kotanidou
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Services, GP Livanos and M Simou Laboratories, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.,First Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Services, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Frantzeska Frantzeskaki
- Second Department of Critical Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioanna Dimopoulou
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Services, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - David Langleben
- Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Division of Cardiology, Azrieli Heart Center, and Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada
| | - Stylianos E Orfanos
- First Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Services, GP Livanos and M Simou Laboratories, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.,First Department of Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Services, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Second Department of Critical Care, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, "Attikon" Hospital, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Liu M, Liu Q, Pei Y, Gong M, Cui X, Pan J, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Liu Y, Yuan X, Zhou H, Chen Y, Sun J, Wang L, Zhang X, Wang R, Li S, Cheng J, Ding Y, Ma T, Yuan Y. Aqp-1
Gene Knockout Attenuates Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension of Mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019; 39:48-62. [PMID: 30580569 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.118.311714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Objective—
Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is characterized by proliferative vascular remodeling. Abnormal pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells proliferation and endothelial dysfunction are the primary cellular bases of vascular remodeling. AQP1 (aquaporin-1) is regulated by oxygen level and has been observed to play a role in the proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. The role of AQP1 in HPH pathogenesis has not been directly determined to date. To determine the possible roles of AQP1 in the pathogenesis of HPH and explore its possible mechanisms.
Approach and Results—
Aqp1
knockout mice were used, and HPH model was established in this study. Primary pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, primary mouse lung endothelial cells, and lung tissue sections from HPH model were used. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and Western blot, cell cycle, apoptosis, and migration analysis were performed in this study. AQP1 expression was upregulated by chronic hypoxia exposure, both in pulmonary artery endothelia and medial smooth muscle layer of mice.
Aqp1
deficiency attenuated the elevation of right ventricular systolic pressures and mitigated pulmonary vascular structure remodeling. AQP1 deletion reduced abnormal cell proliferation in pulmonary artery and accompanied with accumulation of HIF (hypoxia-inducible factor). In vitro,
Aqp1
deletion reduced hypoxia-induced proliferation, apoptosis resistance, and migration ability of primary cultured pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and repressed HIF-1α protein stability. Furthermore,
Aqp1
deficiency protected lung endothelial cells from apoptosis in response to hypoxic injury.
Conclusions—
Our data showed that
Aqp1
deficiency could attenuate hypoxia-induced vascular remodeling in the development of HPH. AQP1 may be a potential target for pulmonary hypertension treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingcheng Liu
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Qiwang Liu
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Yandong Pei
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Miaomiao Gong
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Xiaolin Cui
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, China (X.C., S.L., T.M.)
| | - Jinjin Pan
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Yunlong Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, China (Y.Z., Yang Liu, Ying Liu)
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, China (Y.Z., Yang Liu, Ying Liu)
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, China (Y.Z., Yang Liu, Ying Liu)
| | - Xiaocheng Yuan
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Haoran Zhou
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Yiying Chen
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Jian Sun
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Lin Wang
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Xiya Zhang
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Rui Wang
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Shao Li
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, China (X.C., S.L., T.M.)
| | - Jizhong Cheng
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX (J.C.)
| | - Yanchun Ding
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| | - Tonghui Ma
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, China (Y.Z., Yang Liu, Ying Liu)
| | - Yuhui Yuan
- From the The Second Affiliated Hospital, Institute of Cancer Stem Cell, Dalian Medical University, China (M.L., Q.L., Y.P., M.G., J.P., X.Y., H.Z., Y.C., J.S., L.W., X.Z., R.W., Y.D., Y.Y.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Yun X, Jiang H, Lai N, Wang J, Shimoda LA. Aquaporin 1-mediated changes in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation involve β-catenin. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2017; 313:L889-L898. [PMID: 28798257 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00247.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to hypoxia induces migration and proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), leading to vascular remodeling and contributing to the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. The mechanisms controlling PASMC growth and motility are incompletely understood, although aquaporin 1 (AQP1) plays an important role. In tumor, kidney, and stem cells, AQP1 has been shown to interact with β-catenin, a dual function protein that activates the transcription of crucial target genes (i.e., c-Myc and cyclin D1) related to cell migration and proliferation. Thus the goal of this study was to examine mechanisms by which AQP1 mediates PASMC migration and proliferation, with a focus on β-catenin. Using primary rat PASMCs from resistance level pulmonary arteries infected with adenoviral constructs containing green fluorescent protein (control; AdGFP), wild-type AQP1 (AdAQP1), or AQP1 with the COOH-terminal tail deleted (AdAQP1M), we demonstrated that increasing AQP1 expression upregulated β-catenin protein levels and the expression (mRNA and protein) of the known β-catenin targets c-Myc and cyclin D1. In contrast, infection with AdAQP1M had no effect on any of these variables. Using silencing approaches to reduce β-catenin levels prevented both hypoxia- and AQP1-induced migration and proliferation of PASMCs, as well as induction of c-Myc and cyclin D1 by AQP1. Thus our results indicate that elevated AQP1 levels upregulate β-catenin protein levels, via a mechanism requiring the AQP1 COOH-terminal tail, enhancing expression of β-catenin targets and promoting PASMC proliferation and migration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Yun
- Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; and.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Haiyang Jiang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ning Lai
- Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; and
| | - Jian Wang
- Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China; and.,Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Larissa A Shimoda
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Schuoler C, Haider TJ, Leuenberger C, Vogel J, Ostergaard L, Kwapiszewska G, Kohler M, Gassmann M, Huber LC, Brock M. Aquaporin 1 controls the functional phenotype of pulmonary smooth muscle cells in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. Basic Res Cardiol 2017; 112:30. [PMID: 28409279 DOI: 10.1007/s00395-017-0620-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Vascular remodelling in hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) is driven by excessive proliferation and migration of endothelial and smooth muscle cells. The expression of aquaporin 1 (AQP1), an integral membrane water channel protein involved in the control of these processes, is tightly regulated by oxygen levels. The role of AQP1 in the pathogenesis of PH, however, has not been directly addressed so far. This study was designed to characterize expression and function of AQP1 in pulmonary vascular cells from human arteries and in the mouse model of hypoxia-induced PH. Exposure of human pulmonary vascular cells to hypoxia significantly induced the expression of AQP1. Similarly, levels of AQP1 were found to be upregulated in lungs of mice with hypoxia-induced PH. The functional role of AQP1 was further tested in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells demonstrating that depletion of AQP1 reduced proliferation, the migratory potential, and, conversely, increased apoptosis of these cells. This effect was associated with higher expression of the tumour suppressor gene p53. Using the mouse model of hypoxia-induced PH, application of GapmeR inhibitors targeting AQP1 abated the hypoxia-induced upregulation of AQP1 and, of note, reversed PH by decreasing both right ventricular pressure and hypertrophy back to the levels of control mice. Our data suggest an important functional role of AQP1 in the pathobiology of hypoxia-induced PH. These results offer novel insights in our pathogenetic understanding of the disease and propose AQP1 as potential therapeutic in vivo target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Schuoler
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Division of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas J Haider
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Leuenberger
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Division of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Johannes Vogel
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Louise Ostergaard
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Malcolm Kohler
- Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Division of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Max Gassmann
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lars C Huber
- Division of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Brock
- Division of Pulmonology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Maron BA, Machado RF, Shimoda L. Pulmonary vascular and ventricular dysfunction in the susceptible patient (2015 Grover Conference series). Pulm Circ 2016; 6:426-438. [PMID: 28090285 PMCID: PMC5210067 DOI: 10.1086/688315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary blood vessel structure and tone are maintained by a complex interplay between endogenous vasoactive factors and oxygen-sensing intermediaries. Under physiological conditions, these signaling networks function as an adaptive interface between the pulmonary circulation and environmental or acquired perturbations to preserve oxygenation and maintain systemic delivery of oxygen-rich hemoglobin. Chronic exposure to hypoxia, however, triggers a range of pathogenetic mechanisms that include hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)-dependent upregulation of the vasoconstrictor peptide endothelin 1 in pulmonary endothelial cells. In pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells, chronic hypoxia induces HIF-1α-mediated upregulation of canonical transient receptor potential proteins, as well as increased Rho kinase-Ca2+ signaling and pulmonary arteriole synthesis of the profibrotic hormone aldosterone. Collectively, these mechanisms contribute to a contractile or hypertrophic pulmonary vascular phenotype. Genetically inherited disorders in hemoglobin structure are also an important etiology of abnormal pulmonary vasoreactivity. In sickle cell anemia, for example, consumption of the vasodilator and antimitogenic molecule nitric oxide by cell-free hemoglobin is an important mechanism underpinning pulmonary hypertension. Contemporary genomic and transcriptomic analytic methods have also allowed for the discovery of novel risk factors relevant to sickle cell disease, including GALNT13 gene variants. In this report, we review cutting-edge observations characterizing these and other pathobiological mechanisms that contribute to pulmonary vascular and right ventricular vulnerability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bradley A. Maron
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; and Department of Cardiology, Boston Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roberto F. Machado
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care Medicine, Sleep and Allergy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Larissa Shimoda
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Asthma and Allergy Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Villar IC, Bubb KJ, Moyes AJ, Steiness E, Gulbrandsen T, Levy FO, Hobbs AJ. Functional pharmacological characterization of SER100 in cardiovascular health and disease. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 173:3386-3401. [PMID: 27667485 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE SER100 is a selective nociceptin (NOP) receptor agonist with sodium-potassium-sparing aquaretic and anti-natriuretic activity. This study was designed to characterize the functional cardiovascular pharmacology of SER100 in vitro and in vivo, including experimental models of cardiovascular disease. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Haemodynamic, ECG parameters and heart rate variability (HRV) were determined using radiotelemetry in healthy, conscious mice. The haemodynamic and vascular effects of SER100 were also evaluated in two models of cardiovascular disease, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and murine hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH). To elucidate mechanisms underlying the pharmacology of SER100, acute blood pressure recordings were performed in anaesthetized mice, and the reactivity of rodent aorta and mesenteric arteries in response to electrical- and agonist-stimulation assessed. KEY RESULTS SER100 caused NOP receptor-dependent reductions in mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate that were independent of NO. The hypotensive and vasorelaxant actions of SER100 were potentiated in SHR compared with Wistar Kyoto. Moreover, SER100 reduced several indices of disease severity in experimental PH. Analysis of HRV indicated that SER100 decreased the low/high frequency ratio, an indicator of sympatho-vagal balance, and in electrically stimulated mouse mesenteric arteries SER100 inhibited sympathetic-induced contractions. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS SER100 exerts a chronic hypotensive and bradycardic effects in rodents, including models of systemic and pulmonary hypertension. SER100 produces its cardiovascular effects, at least in part, by inhibition of cardiac and vascular sympathetic activity. SER100 may represent a novel therapeutic candidate in systemic and pulmonary hypertension.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada C Villar
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Kristen J Bubb
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Amie J Moyes
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Finn Olav Levy
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Adrian J Hobbs
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Wang W, Li F, Sun Y, Lei L, Zhou H, Lei T, Xia Y, Verkman AS, Yang B. Aquaporin-1 retards renal cyst development in polycystic kidney disease by inhibition of Wnt signaling. FASEB J 2015; 29:1551-63. [PMID: 25573755 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-260828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Water channel aquaporin-1 (AQP1) is expressed at epithelial cell plasma membranes in renal proximal tubules and thin descending limb of Henle. Recently, AQP1 was reported to interact with β-catenin. Here we investigated the relationship between AQP1 and Wnt signaling in in vitro and in vivo models of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD). AQP1 overexpression decreased β-catenin and cyclinD1 expression, suggesting down-regulation of Wnt signaling, and coimmunoprecipitation showed AQP1 interaction with β-catenin, glycogen synthase kinase 3β, LRP6, and Axin1. AQP1 inhibited cyst development and promoted branching in matrix-grown MDCK cells. In embryonic kidney cultures, AQP1 deletion increased cyst development by up to ∼ 40%. Kidney size and cyst number were significantly greater in AQP1-null PKD mice than in AQP1-expressing PKD mice, with the difference mainly attributed to a greater number of proximal tubule cysts. Biochemical analysis revealed decreased β-catenin phosphorylation and increased β-catenin expression in AQP1-null PKD mice, suggesting enhanced Wnt signaling. These results implicate AQP1 as a novel determinant in renal cyst development that may involve inhibition of Wnt signaling by an AQP1-macromolecular signaling complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiling Wang
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California USA
| | - Fei Li
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California USA
| | - Yi Sun
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California USA
| | - Lei Lei
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California USA
| | - Hong Zhou
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California USA
| | - Tianluo Lei
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California USA
| | - Yin Xia
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California USA
| | - A S Verkman
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California USA
| | - Baoxue Yang
- *Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, and State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China; School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Departments of Medicine and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California USA
| |
Collapse
|