Cardiac neurobiology of nitric oxide synthases

Dysregulation of Neuronal Ca2+ Channel Linked to Heightened Sympathetic Phenotype in Prohypertensive States

Hypertension is associated with impaired nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic nucleotide (CN)-coupled intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)) homeostasis that enhances cardiac sympathetic neurotransmission. Because neuronal membrane Ca(2+) currents are reduced by NO-activated S-nitrosylation, we tested whether CNs affect membrane channel conductance directly in neurons isolated from the stellate ganglia of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and their normotensive controls. Using voltage-clamp and cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) FRET sensors, we hypothesized that impaired CN regulation provides a direct link to abnormal signaling of neuronal calcium channels in the SHR and that targeting cGMP can restore the channel phenotype. We found significantly larger whole-cell Ca(2+) currents from diseased neurons that were largely mediated by the N-type Ca(2+) channel (Cav2.2). Elevating cGMP restored the SHR Ca(2+) current to levels seen in normal neurons that were not affected by cGMP. cGMP also decreased cAMP levels and PKA activity in diseased neurons. In contrast, cAMP-PKA activity was increased in normal neurons, suggesting differential switching in phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. PDE2A inhibition enhanced the Ca(2+) current in normal neurons to a conductance similar to that seen in SHR neurons, whereas the inhibitor slightly decreased the current in diseased neurons. Pharmacological evidence supported a switching from cGMP acting via PDE3 in control neurons to PDE2A in SHR neurons in the modulation of the Ca(2+) current. Our data suggest that a disturbance in the regulation of PDE-coupled CNs linked to N-type Ca(2+) channels is an early hallmark of the prohypertensive phenotype associated with intracellular Ca(2+) impairment underpinning sympathetic dysautonomia.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Here, we identify dysregulation of cyclic-nucleotide (CN)-linked neuronal Ca(2+) channel activity that could provide the trigger for the enhanced sympathetic neurotransmission observed in the prohypertensive state. Furthermore, we provide evidence that increasing cGMP rescues the channel phenotype and restores ion channel activity to levels seen in normal neurons. We also observed CN cross-talk in sympathetic neurons that may be related to a differential switching in phosphodiesterase activity. The presence of these early molecular changes in asymptomatic, prohypertensive animals could facilitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets with which to modulate intracellular Ca(2+) Turning down the gain of sympathetic hyperresponsiveness in cardiovascular disease associated with sympathetic dysautonomia would have significant therapeutic utility.

Balance of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in myocardial reperfusion injury and protection

Depending on their concentrations, both nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) take part either in myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury or in protection by ischemic and pharmacological preconditioning (Ipre) and postconditioning (Ipost). At the beginning of reperfusion, a transient release of NO is promptly scavenged by ROS to form the highly toxic peroxynitrite, which is responsible for a further increase of ROS through endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling. The protective role of NO has suggested the use of NO donors to mimic Ipre and Ipost. However, NO donors have not always given the expected protection, possibly because they are responsible for the production of different amounts of ROS that depend on the amount of released NO. This review is focused on the role of the balance of NO and ROS in myocardial injury and its prevention by Ipre and Ipost and after the use of NO donors given with or without antioxidant compounds to mimic Ipre and Ipost.

Role of nitric oxide-containing factors in the ventilatory and cardiovascular responses elicited by hypoxic challenge in isoflurane-anesthetized rats

Exposure to hypoxia elicits changes in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate, and frequency of breathing (fR). The objective of this study was to determine the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the cardiovascular and ventilatory responses elicited by brief exposures to hypoxia in isoflurane-anesthetized rats. The rats were instrumented to record MAP, heart rate, and fR and then exposed to 90 s episodes of hypoxia (10% O2, 90% N2) before and after injection of vehicle, the NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), or the inactive enantiomer D-NAME (both at 50 μmol/kg iv). Each episode of hypoxia elicited a decrease in MAP, bidirectional changes in heart rate (initial increase and then a decrease), and an increase in fR. These responses were similar before and after injection of vehicle or D-NAME. In contrast, the hypoxia-induced decreases in MAP were attenuated after administration of L-NAME. The initial increases in heart rate during hypoxia were amplified whereas the subsequent decreases in heart rate were attenuated in L-NAME-treated rats. Finally, the hypoxia-induced increases in fR were virtually identical before and after administration of L-NAME. These findings suggest that NO factors play a vital role in the expression of the cardiovascular but not the ventilatory responses elicited by brief episodes of hypoxia in isoflurane-anesthetized rats. Based on existing evidence that NO factors play a vital role in carotid body and central responses to hypoxia in conscious rats, our findings raise the novel possibility that isoflurane blunts this NO-dependent signaling.

Decreased endothelial nitric oxide, systemic oxidative stress, and increased sympathetic modulation contribute to hypertension in obese rats

We investigated the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) on autonomic cardiovascular parameters, vascular reactivity, and endothelial cells isolated from aorta of monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rats. Obesity was induced by administration of 4 mg/g body wt of MSG or equimolar saline [control (CTR)] to newborn rats. At the 60th day, the treatment was started with N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 20 mg/kg) or 0.9% saline. At the 90th day, after artery catheterization, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate were recorded. Plasma was collected to assess lipid peroxidation. Endothelial cells isolated from aorta were evaluated by flow cytometry and fluorescence intensity (FI) emitted by NO-sensitive dye [4,5-diaminofluoresceindiacetate (DAF-2DA)] and by ROS-sensitive dye [dihydroethidium (DHE)]. Vascular reactivity was made by concentration-response curves of acetylcholine. MSG showed hypertension compared with CTR. Treatment with L-NAME increased MAP only in CTR. The MSG induced an increase in the low-frequency (LF) band and a decrease in the high-frequency band of pulse interval. L-NAME treatment increased the LF band of systolic arterial pressure only in CTR without changes in MSG. Lipid peroxidation levels were higher in MSG and were attenuated after L-NAME. In endothelial cells, basal FI to DAF was higher in CTR than in MSG. In both groups, acetylcholine increased FI for DAF from basal. The FI baseline to DHE was higher in MSG than in CTR. Acetylcholine increased FI to DHE in the CTR group, but decreased in MSG animals. We suggest that reduced NO production and increased production of ROS may contribute to hypertension in obese MSG animals.

Changes in red cell ion transport, reduced intratumoral neovascularization, and some mild motor function abnormalities accompany targeted disruption of the Mouse Kell gene (Kel)

Kell (ECE-3), a highly polymorphic blood group glycoprotein, displays more than 30 antigens that produce allo-antibodies and, on red blood cells (RBCs), is complexed through a single disulfide bond with the integral membrane protein, XK. XK is a putative membrane transporter whose absence results in a late onset form of neuromuscular abnormalities known as the McLeod syndrome. Although Kell glycoprotein is known to be an endothelin-3-converting enzyme, the full extent of its physiological function is unknown. To study the functions of Kell glycoprotein, we undertook targeted disruption of the murine Kel gene by homologous recombination. RBCs from Kel(-/-) mice lacked Kell glycoprotein, Kell/XK complex, and endothelin-3-converting enzyme activity and had reduced levels of XK. XK mRNA levels in spleen, brain, and testis were unchanged. In Kel(-/-) mice RBC Gardos channel activity was increased and the normal enhancement by endothelin-3 was blunted. Analysis of the microvessels of tumors produced from LL2 cells indicated that the central portion of tumors from wild-type mice were populated with many mature blood vessels, but that vessels in tumors from Kel(-/-) mice were fewer and smaller. The absence of Kell glycoprotein mildly affected some motor activities identified by foot splay on the drop tests. The targeted disruption of Kel in mouse enabled us to identify phenotypes that would not be easily detected in humans lacking Kell glycoprotein. In this regard, the Kell knockout mouse provides a good animal model for the study of normal and/or pathophysiological functions of Kell glycoprotein.

Physarum nitric oxide synthases: genomic structures and enzymology of recombinant proteins

Physarum polycephalum expresses two closely related, calcium-independent NOSs (nitric oxide synthases). In our previous work, we showed that both NOSs are induced during starvation and apparently play a functional role in sporulation. In the present study, we characterized the genomic structures of both Physarum NOSs, expressed both enzymes recombinantly in bacteria and characterized their biochemical properties. Whereas the overall genomic organization of Physarum NOS genes is comparable with various animal NOSs, none of the exon-intron boundaries are conserved. Recombinant expression of clones with various N-termini identified N-terminal amino acids essential for enzyme activity, but not required for haem binding or dimerization, and suggests the usage of non-AUG start codons for Physarum NOSs. Biochemical characterization of the two Physarum isoenzymes revealed different affinities for L-arginine, FMN and 6R-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-L-biopterin.