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Theerathananon W, Watanapa WB, Wataganara T, Pratumvinit B, Rahman S. Preeclamptic serum and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 suppress endothelial inward rectifier potassium currents. Placenta 2024; 146:101-109. [PMID: 38241839 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.002] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channel, a major factor determining endothelial membrane potential, regulates Ca2+ influx and vasodilator release, which is impaired in preeclamptic blood vessels. Previously, human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) Kir currents were shown to decrease after incubating in preeclamptic plasma. We aimed to demonstrate whether sFlt-1, which is high in preeclamptic blood, could inhibit Kir channel function and expression. METHODS HUVECs were cultured in regular medium, regular medium with added sFlt-1, or serum from preeclampsia patients or normal pregnant women (Control, sFlt-1, PE, or NP, respectively). Using whole-cell patch clamp technique, we identified Kir currents with the Kir blocker 2 mM BaCl2 and compared the currents among groups. The expression of Kir 2.1 and 2.2 channels were determined using immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS sFlt-1 and PE groups exhibited similar Kir currents, while NP group possessed significantly larger currents, similar to Control group currents. Moreover, sFlt-1 and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio showed strong negative correlation with Kir currents (r = -0.71 and -0.70, respectively; P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in mean fluorescence intensity representing Kir 2.1 and 2.2 channels expression in all four groups. DISCUSSION This is the first report to demonstrate sFlt-1 inhibition against Kir currents, which could lead to maternal endothelial dysfunction and hypertension seen in preeclampsia. However, channel expression was unaffected by sFlt-1 incubation, suggesting dysfunctions of channel or other processes (e.g., membrane translocation). The present data could pave the way for novel therapies targeting sFlt-1 or Kir to alleviate hypertension in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuttinan Theerathananon
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
| | - Wattana B Watanapa
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
| | - Tuangsit Wataganara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
| | - Busadee Pratumvinit
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
| | - Suraiya Rahman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Wanglang Road, Bangkok, 10700, Thailand.
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Neira F, Neira N, Torres J, González-Ortiz M. Physiological and Pathophysiological Role of Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels (BKCa) in HUVECs and Placenta. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1428:71-82. [PMID: 37466769 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-32554-0_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
BKCa channels (large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels) play a critical role in regulating vascular tone and blood pressure. These channels are present in the smooth muscle cells of blood vessels and are activated by voltage and increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration. More recently, the expression and activity of BKCa have been proposed to be relevant in endothelial cells, too, specifically in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), the more studied cell type in the fetoplacental circulation. The role of BKCa in endothelial cells is not well understood, but in HUVECs or placental endothelium, these channels could be crucial for vascular tone regulation during pregnancy as part of endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (EDH), a key mechanism for an organ that lacks nervous system innervation like the placenta.In this review, we will discuss the evidence about the role of BKCa (and other Ca2+-activated K+ channels) in HUVECs and the placenta to propose a physiological mechanism for fetoplacental vascular regulation and a pathophysiological role of BKCa, mainly associated with pregnancy pathologies that present maternal hypertension and/or placental hypoxia, like preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Neira
- Laboratorio de Investigación Materno-Fetal (LIMaF), Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Nataly Neira
- Laboratorio de Investigación Materno-Fetal (LIMaF), Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Javier Torres
- Laboratorio de Investigación Materno-Fetal (LIMaF), Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Marcelo González-Ortiz
- Laboratorio de Investigación Materno-Fetal (LIMaF), Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
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Experimental preeclampsia in rats affects vascular gene expression patterns. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14807. [PMID: 29093568 PMCID: PMC5665945 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14926-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Normal pregnancy requires adaptations of the maternal vasculature. During preeclampsia these adaptations are not well established, which may be related to maternal hypertension and proteinuria. The effects of preeclampsia on the maternal vasculature are not yet fully understood. We aimed to evaluate gene expression in aortas of pregnant rats with experimental preeclampsia using a genome wide microarray. Aortas were isolated from pregnant Wistar outbred rats with low-dose LPS-induced preeclampsia (ExpPE), healthy pregnant (Pr), non-pregnant and low-dose LPS-infused non-pregnant rats. Gene expression was measured by microarray and validated by real-time quantitative PCR. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis was performed to compare the groups. Functional analysis of the aorta was done by isotonic contraction measurements while stimulating aortic rings with potassium chloride. 526 genes were differentially expressed, and positive enrichment of “potassium channels”, “striated muscle contraction”, and “neuronal system” gene sets were found in ExpPE vs. Pr. The potassium chloride-induced contractile response of ExpPE aortic rings was significantly decreased compared to this response in Pr animals. Our data suggest that potassium channels, neuronal system and (striated) muscle contraction in the aorta may play a role in the pathophysiology of experimental preeclampsia. Whether these changes are also present in preeclamptic women needs further investigation.
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The NOX2-derived reactive oxygen species damaged endothelial nitric oxide system via suppressed BKCa/SKCa in preeclampsia. Hypertens Res 2017; 40:457-464. [PMID: 28077855 DOI: 10.1038/hr.2016.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The endothelial nitric oxide (NO) system may be damaged in preeclampsia; however, the involved mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we used primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to evaluate the endothelial NO system in preeclampsia and to determine the underlying mechanisms that are involved. We isolated and cultured HUVECs from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies and evaluated endothelial NO synthase enzyme (eNOS) expression and NO production. Whole-cell K+ currents and oxidative stress were also determined in normal and preeclamptic HUVECs. Compared with normal HUVECs, eNOS expression, NO production and whole-cell K+ currents in preeclamptic HUVECs were markedly decreased, whereas oxidative stress was significantly increased. The decreased K+ currents were associated with damaged Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa) channels, especially the large (BKCa) and small (SKCa) conductance KCa channels, and were involved in the downregulated eNOS expression in preeclamptic HUVECs. Moreover, the increased oxidative stress detected in preeclamptic HUVECs was mediated by NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) oxidase 2 (NOX2)-dependent reactive oxygen species overproduction that could downregulate whole-cell K+ currents, eNOS expression and NO production. Taken together, our study indicated that the increased oxidative stress in preeclamptic HUVECs could downregulate the NO system by suppressing BKCa and SKCa channels. Because the damaged NO system was closely related to endothelial dysfunction, this study provides important information to further understand the pathological process of endothelial cell dysfunction in preeclampsia.
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Cabrera L, Saavedra A, Rojas S, Cid M, Valenzuela C, Gallegos D, Careaga P, Basualto E, Haensgen A, Peña E, Rivas C, Vera JC, Gallardo V, Zúñiga L, Escudero C, Sobrevia L, Wareing M, González M. Insulin Induces Relaxation and Decreases Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Vasoconstriction in Human Placental Vascular Bed in a Mechanism Mediated by Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels and L-Arginine/Nitric Oxide Pathways. Front Physiol 2016; 7:529. [PMID: 27920724 PMCID: PMC5118463 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
HIGHLIGHTSShort-term incubation with insulin increases the L-arginine transport in HUVECs. Short-term incubation with insulin increases the NO synthesis in HUVECs. Insulin induces relaxation in human placental vascular bed. Insulin attenuates the constriction induced by hydrogen peroxide in human placenta. The relaxation induced by insulin is dependent on BKCa channels activity in human placenta.
Insulin induces relaxation in umbilical veins, increasing the expression of human amino acid transporter 1 (hCAT-1) and nitric oxide synthesis (NO) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Short-term effects of insulin on vasculature have been reported in healthy subjects and cell cultures; however, its mechanisms remain unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of acute incubation with insulin on the regulation of vascular tone of placental vasculature. HUVECs and chorionic vein rings were isolated from normal pregnancies. The effect of insulin on NO synthesis, L-arginine transport, and hCAT-1 abundance was measured in HUVECs. Isometric tension induced by U46619 (thromboxane A2 analog) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were measured in vessels previously incubated 30 min with insulin and/or the following pharmacological inhibitors: tetraethylammonium (KCa channels), iberiotoxin (BKCa channels), genistein (tyrosine kinases), and wortmannin (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase). Insulin increases L-arginine transport and NO synthesis in HUVECs. In the placenta, this hormone caused relaxation of the chorionic vein, and reduced perfusion pressure in placental cotyledons. In vessels pre-incubated with insulin, the constriction evoked by H2O2 and U46619 was attenuated and the effect on H2O2-induced constriction was blocked with tetraethylammonium and iberiotoxin, but not with genistein, or wortmannin. Insulin rapidly dilates the placental vasculature through a mechanism involving activity of BKCa channels and L-arginine/NO pathway in endothelial cells. This phenomenon is related to quick increases of hCAT-1 abundance and higher capacity of endothelial cells to take up L-arginine and generate NO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lissette Cabrera
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de ConcepciónConcepción, Chile; Department of Morphophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Diego PortalesSantiago, Chile
| | - Andrea Saavedra
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - Susana Rojas
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - Marcela Cid
- Department of Obstetrics and Childcare, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - Cristina Valenzuela
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - David Gallegos
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - Pamela Careaga
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - Emerita Basualto
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - Astrid Haensgen
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - Eduardo Peña
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - Coralia Rivas
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - Juan Carlos Vera
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción Concepción, Chile
| | - Victoria Gallardo
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de ConcepciónConcepción, Chile; Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health)Chillán, Chile
| | - Leandro Zúñiga
- Centro de Investigaciones Médicas (CIM), School of Medicine, Universidad de Talca Talca, Chile
| | - Carlos Escudero
- Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health)Chillán, Chile; Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Group of Investigation in Tumor Angiogenesis (GIANT), Department of Basic Sciences, Universidad del BiobíoChillán, Chile
| | - Luis Sobrevia
- Cellular and Molecular Physiology Laboratory (CMPL), Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago, Chile; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidad de SevillaSeville, Spain; University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of QueenslandHerston, QLD, Australia
| | - Mark Wareing
- Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of ManchesterManchester, UK; Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science CentreManchester, UK
| | - Marcelo González
- Vascular Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de ConcepciónConcepción, Chile; Group of Research and Innovation in Vascular Health (GRIVAS Health)Chillán, Chile
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Tande DL, Ralph JL, Johnson LK, Scheett AJ, Hoverson BS, Anderson CM. First trimester dietary intake, biochemical measures, and subsequent gestational hypertension among nulliparous women. J Midwifery Womens Health 2013; 58:423-30. [PMID: 23895215 DOI: 10.1111/jmwh.12007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between first-trimester dietary factors and biochemical measures and subsequent risk of gestational hypertension. METHODS This pilot study used a prospective design utilizing a convenience sample of nulliparous women enrolled at their first prenatal visit. A total of 57 women completed the study. Participants were divided into 2 groups for data analysis: normotensive pregnancy and gestational hypertension. RESULTS Nearly one-quarter of study participants (22.8%) developed gestational hypertension, of whom 84.6% had significant proteinuria meeting the criteria for preeclampsia. There were no significant differences in micronutrient or macronutrient dietary intakes between groups. Serum iron and zinc levels were lower for the gestational hypertension group compared with the normotensive pregnancy group (P ≤ .01). Low serum zinc levels were related to a risk of developing gestational hypertension (adjusted odds ratio, 0.930; 95% confidence interval, 0.872-0.992). DISCUSSION Ensuring adequate intake of zinc and monitoring serum zinc levels in nulliparous pregnant women may help to prevent or contribute to early detection of gestational hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desiree L Tande
- College of Nursing and Professional Disciplines, University of North Dakota, 430 Oxford Street, Grand Forks, ND 58202-9025, USA
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