Role of endothelium in vasomotor responses to endothelin system and protein kinase C activation in porcine retinal arterioles

Activation of Coronary Arteriolar PKCβ2 Impairs Endothelial NO-Mediated Vasodilation: Role of JNK/Rho Kinase Signaling and Xanthine Oxidase Activation

Protein kinase C (PKC) activation can evoke vasoconstriction and contribute to coronary disease. However, it is unclear whether PKC activation, without activating the contractile machinery, can lead to coronary arteriolar dysfunction. The vasoconstriction induced by the PKC activator phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) was examined in isolated porcine coronary arterioles. The PDBu-evoked vasoconstriction was sensitive to a broad-spectrum PKC inhibitor but not affected by inhibiting PKCβ2 or Rho kinase. After exposure of the vessels to a sub-vasomotor concentration of PDBu (1 nmol/L, 60 min), the endothelium-dependent nitric oxide (NO)-mediated dilations in response to serotonin and adenosine were compromised but the dilation induced by the NO donor sodium nitroprusside was unaltered. PDBu elevated superoxide production, which was blocked by the superoxide scavenger Tempol. The impaired NO-mediated vasodilations were reversed by Tempol or inhibition of PKCβ2, xanthine oxidase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Rho kinase but were not affected by a hydrogen peroxide scavenger or inhibitors of NAD(P)H oxidase and p38 kinase. The PKCβ2 protein was detected in the arteriolar wall and co-localized with endothelial NO synthase. In conclusion, activation of PKCβ2 appears to compromise NO-mediated vasodilation via Rho kinase-mediated JNK signaling and superoxide production from xanthine oxidase, independent of the activation of the smooth muscle contractile machinery.

Role of Arginase in Selective Impairment of Endothelium-Dependent Nitric Oxide Synthase-Mediated Dilation of Retinal Arterioles during Early Diabetes

Purpose

Retinal vasomotor activity can be regulated by two major endothelial enzymes, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX). The vascular arginase also consumes a NOS substrate and thus impedes NOS-mediated vasodilation. Diabetes mellitus exhibits vascular complications in the retina with elevated oxidative stress and compromised NOS-mediated vasodilation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear, and the effect of diabetes on COX-mediated vasodilation is unknown. Herein, we examined the relative impact of diabetes on retinal arteriolar dilations to COX and NOS activation and the roles of arginase and superoxide in diabetes-induced vasomotor dysfunction.

Methods

Retinal arterioles were isolated from streptozocin-induced diabetic pigs (2 weeks of hyperglycemia, 433 ± 27 mg/dL) or age-matched control pigs (97 ± 4 mg/dL). The vasodilations to bradykinin (NOS activator) and histamine (NOS/COX activator) were examined in vitro.

Results

Retinal arteriolar dilations to histamine and bradykinin were significantly reduced after 2 weeks of diabetes. The NOS inhibitor N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) attenuated the dilations of control vessels, but not diabetic vessels, to histamine. In the presence of L-NAME and COX inhibitor indomethacin, histamine-induced dilations of control and diabetic vessels were reduced similarly. Treatment of diabetic vessels with arginase inhibitor nor-NOHA, but not superoxide dismutase mimetic TEMPOL, preserved both histamine- and bradykinin-induced dilations in an L-NAME-sensitive manner.

Conclusions

Arginase, rather than superoxide, impairs endothelium-dependent NOS-mediated dilation of retinal arterioles during diabetes, whereas vasodilation mediated by COX remains intact. Blockade of vascular arginase may improve endothelial function of retinal arterioles during early onset of diabetes.

Hyperglycemia Augments Endothelin-1-Induced Constriction of Human Retinal Venules

Purpose

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoactive factor implicated in development of diabetic retinopathy, which is commonly associated with retinal edema and hyperglycemia. Although the vasomotor activity of venules contributes to the regulation of tissue fluid homeostasis, responses of human retinal venules to ET-1 under euglycemia and hyperglycemia remain unknown and the ET-1 receptor subtype corresponding to vasomotor function has not been determined. Herein, we addressed these issues by examining the reactivity of isolated human retinal venules to ET-1, and results from porcine retinal venules were compared.

Methods

Retinal tissues were obtained from patients undergoing enucleation. Human and porcine retinal venules were isolated and pressurized to assess diameter changes in response to ET-1 after exposure to 5 mM control glucose or 25 mM high glucose for 2 hours.

Results

Both human and porcine retinal venules exposed to control glucose developed similar basal tone and constricted comparably to ET-1 in a concentration-dependent manner. ET-1–induced constrictions of human and porcine retinal venules were abolished by ET_A receptor antagonist BQ123. During high glucose exposure, basal tone of human and porcine retinal venules was unaltered but ET-1–induced vasoconstrictions were enhanced.

Conclusions

ET-1 elicits comparable constriction of human and porcine retinal venules by activation of ET_A receptors. In vitro hyperglycemia augments human and porcine retinal venular responses to ET-1.

Translational Relevance

Similarities in vasoconstriction to ET-1 between human and porcine retinal venules support the latter as an effective model of the human retinal microcirculation to help identify vascular targets for the treatment of retinal complications in patients with diabetes.

Shear-Stress Sensitive Inwardly-Rectifying K+ Channels Regulate Developmental Retinal Angiogenesis by Vessel Regression

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Shear stress plays major roles in developmental angiogenesis, particularly in blood vessel remodeling and maturation but little is known about the shear stress sensors involved in this process. Our recent study identified endothelial Kir2.1 channels as major contributors to flow-induced vasodilation, a hallmark of the endothelial flow response. The goal of this study is to establish the role of Kir2.1 in the regulation of retinal angiogenesis.

METHODS

The retina of newly born Kir2.1^+/- mice were used to investigate the sprouting angiogenesis and remodeling of newly formed branched vessels. The structure, blood density and mural cell coverage have been evaluated by immunohistochemistry of the whole-mount retina. Endothelial cell alignment was assessed using CD31 staining. The experiments with flow-induced vasodilation were used to study the cerebrovascular response to flow.

RESULTS

Using Kir2.1-deficient mice, we show that the retinas of Kir2.1^+/- mice have higher vessel density, increased lengths and increased number of the branching points, as compared to WT littermates. In contrast, the coverage by αSMA is decreased in Kir2.1^+/- mice while pericyte coverage does not change. Furthermore, to determine whether deficiency of Kir2.1 affects vessel pruning, we discriminated between intact and degraded vessels or "empty matrix sleeves" and found a significant reduction in the number of empty sleeves on the peripheral part of the retina or "angiogenic front" in Kir2.1^+/- mice. We also show that Kir2.1 deficiency results in decreased endothelial alignment in retinal endothelium and impaired flow-induced vasodilation of cerebral arteries, verifying the involvement of Kir2.1 in shear-stress sensing in retina and cerebral circulation.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that shear-stress sensitive Kir2.1 channels play an important role in pruning of excess vessels and vascular remodeling during retinal angiogenesis. We propose that Kir2.1 mediates the effect of shear stress on vessel maturation.

Constriction of Retinal Venules to Endothelin-1: Obligatory Roles of ETA Receptors, Extracellular Calcium Entry, and Rho Kinase

Purpose

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor peptide implicated in retinal venous pathologies such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion. However, underlying mechanisms contributing to venular constriction remain unknown. Thus, we examined the roles of ET-1 receptors, extracellular calcium (Ca²⁺), L-type voltage-operated calcium channels (L-VOCCs), Rho kinase (ROCK), and protein kinase C (PKC) in ET-1-induced constriction of retinal venules.

Methods

Porcine retinal venules were isolated and pressurized for vasoreactivity study using videomicroscopic techniques. Protein and mRNA were analyzed using molecular tools.

Results

Retinal venules developed basal tone and constricted concentration-dependently to ET-1. The ET_A receptor (ET_AR) antagonist BQ123 abolished venular constriction to ET-1, but ET_B receptor (ET_BR) antagonist BQ788 had no effect on vasoconstriction. The ET_BR agonist sarafotoxin S6c did not elicit vasomotor activity. In the absence of extracellular Ca²⁺, venules lost basal tone and ET-1–induced constriction was nearly abolished. Although L-VOCC inhibitor nifedipine also reduced basal tone and blocked vasoconstriction to L-VOCC activator Bay K8644, constriction of venules to ET-1 remained. The ROCK inhibitor H-1152 but not PKC inhibitor Gö 6983 prevented ET-1-induced vasoconstriction. Protein and mRNA expressions of ET_ARs and ET_BRs, along with ROCK1 and ROCK2 isoforms, were detected in retinal venules.

Conclusions

Extracellular Ca²⁺ entry via L-VOCCs is essential for developing and maintaining basal tone of porcine retinal venules. ET-1 causes significant constriction of retinal venules by activating ET_ARs and extracellular Ca²⁺ entry independent of L-VOCCs. Activation of ROCK signaling, without involvement of PKC, appears to mediate venular constriction to ET-1 in the porcine retina.

The relationship of dietary fish intake to diabetic retinopathy and retinal vascular caliber in patients with type 2 diabetes

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the association of dietary fish intake with varying severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and retinal vascular caliber in Asians with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 357 Asians (median age: 58 years; 31% women; 78% Chinese) were recruited from a tertiary eye care institution in Singapore. Fish consumption was evaluated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Digital retinal photographs assessed for DR severity and retinal vascular caliber. Ordered logistic and linear regression models were used to investigate the association of fish intake with DR severity and vascular caliber. Increasing frequency of fish consumption was significantly associated with lower odds of having severe DR (odds ratio [OR] = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84–0.99 per 1-unit increase of fish intake; P = 0.038). Among those with no retinopathy, persons in quartile 4 fish intake had a wider retinal vascular caliber for arteriolar (β = 22.27 µm, 95% CI: 12.64–31.90; P-trend < 0.001) and venular (β = 32.00 µm, 95% CI: 17.56–46.43; P-trend < 0.001), than those in quartile 1 fish intake. Persons with higher fish intake had a decreased likelihood of having severe DR. In diabetics without retinopathy, higher fish intake was associated with wider retinal vascular caliber. Future research is needed to reinforce the direction of the casualty.

Acute and Chronic Hyperglycemia Elicit JIP1/JNK-Mediated Endothelial Vasodilator Dysfunction of Retinal Arterioles

Purpose

Hyperglycemia, a hallmark of diabetes mellitus, is associated with retinal inflammation and impairment of endothelium-dependent nitric oxide (NO)–mediated dilation of retinal arterioles. However, molecular mechanisms involved in this diminished endothelial vasodilator function remain unclear. We examined whether inflammatory stress-activated kinases, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38, contribute to retinal arteriolar dysfunction during exposure to acute and chronic hyperglycemia.

Methods

Retinal arterioles were isolated from streptozocin-induced diabetic pigs (2 weeks; chronic hyperglycemia, 471 ± 23 mg/dL) or age-matched control pigs (euglycemia, 79 ± 5 mg/dL), and then cannulated and pressurized for vasoreactivity study. For acute hyperglycemia study, vessels from nondiabetic pigs were exposed intraluminally to high glucose (25 mM ≈ 450 mg/dL) for 2 hours, and normal glucose (5 mM ≈ 90 mg/dL) served as the control.

Results

Endothelium-dependent vasodilation to bradykinin was reduced in a similar manner after exposure to acute or chronic hyperglycemia. Administration of NO synthase inhibitor N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) nearly abolished vasodilations either in control (euglycemia and normal glucose) or hyperglycemic (acute and chronic) vessels. Treatment of either acute or chronic hyperglycemic vessels with JNK inhibitor SP600125 or JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP1) inhibitor BI-78D3, but not p38 inhibitor SB203580, preserved bradykinin-induced dilation in an L-NAME–sensitive manner. By contrast, endothelium-independent vasodilation to sodium nitroprusside was unaffected by acute or chronic hyperglycemia.

Conclusions

Activation of JIP1/JNK signaling in retinal arterioles during exposure to acute or chronic hyperglycemia leads to selective impairment of endothelium-dependent NO-mediated dilation. Therapeutic targeting of the vascular JNK pathway may improve retinal endothelial vasodilator function during early diabetes.

VEGF Receptor-2-Linked PI3K/Calpain/SIRT1 Activation Mediates Retinal Arteriolar Dilations to VEGF and Shear Stress

PURPOSE

Vasomotor responses of retinal arterioles to luminal flow/shear stress and VEGF have a critical role in governing retinal blood flow possibly via nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activation. However, the cellular mechanism for flow-sensitive vasomotor activity in relation to VEGF signaling in retinal arterioles has not been characterized. We used an isolated vessel approach to specifically address this issue.

METHODS

Porcine retinal arterioles were isolated, cannulated, and pressurized to 55 cm H2O luminal pressure by two independent reservoir systems. Luminal flow was increased stepwise by creating hydrostatic pressure gradients across two reservoirs. Diameter changes and associated signaling mechanisms corresponding to increased flow and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) activation were assessed using videomicroscopic, pharmacological, and molecular tools.

RESULTS

Retinal arterioles developed basal tone under zero-flow condition and dilated concentration-dependently to VEGF165. Stepwise increases in flow produced graded vasodilation. Vasodilations to VEGF165 and increased flow were abolished by endothelial removal, and inhibited by pharmacological blockade of VEGFR2, NOS, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), calpains, or sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) deacetylase. A VEGF165 antibody blocked vasodilation to VEGF165 but not flow. Immunostaining indicated that VEGFR2 was expressed in the endothelial and smooth muscle layers of retinal arterioles.

CONCLUSIONS

Ligand-dependent and ligand-independent activation of VEGFR2 in the endothelium mediates NO-dependent dilations of porcine retinal arterioles in response to VEGF165 and luminal flow/shear stress, respectively. It appears that NOS stimulation via PI3K, calpain proteases, and SIRT1-dependent deacetylation downstream from VEGFR2 activation contributes to these vasodilator responses.

Endothelin-1 impairs coronary arteriolar dilation: Role of p38 kinase-mediated superoxide production from NADPH oxidase

Elevated levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoactive peptide, are implicated as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases by exerting vasoconstriction. The aim of this study was to address whether ET-1, at sub-vasomotor concentrations, elicits adverse effects on coronary microvascular function. Porcine coronary arterioles (50-100μm) were isolated, cannulated and pressurized without flow for in vitro study. Diameter changes were recorded using a videomicrometer. Arterioles developed basal tone (60±3μm) and dilated to the endothelium-dependent nitric oxide (NO)-mediated vasodilators serotonin (1nmol/L to 0.1μmol/L) and adenosine (1nmol/L to 10μmol/L). Treating the vessels with a clinically relevant sub-vasomotor concentration of ET-1 (10pmol/L, 60min) significantly attenuated arteriolar dilations to adenosine and serotonin but not to endothelium-independent vasodilator sodium nitroprusside. The arteriolar wall contains ETA receptors and the adverse effect of ET-1 was prevented by ETA receptor antagonist BQ123, the superoxide scavenger Tempol, the NADPH oxidase inhibitors apocynin and VAS2870, the NOX2-based NADPH oxidase inhibitor gp91 ds-tat, or the p38 kinase inhibitor SB203580. However, ETB receptor antagonist BQ788, H2O2 scavenger catalase, scrambled gp91 ds-tat, or inhibitors of xanthine oxidase (allopurinol), PKC (Gö 6983), Rho kinase (Y27632), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SP600125) did not protect the vessel. Immunohistochemical staining showed that ET-1 elicited Tempol-, apocynin- and SB203580-sensitive superoxide productions in the arteriolar wall. Our results indicate that exposure of coronary arterioles to a pathophysiological, sub-vasomotor concentration of ET-1 leads to vascular dysfunction by impairing endothelium-dependent NO-mediated dilation via p38 kinase-mediated production of superoxide from NADPH oxidase following ETA receptor activation.