The nanostructure of myoendothelial junctions contributes to signal rectification between endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells

Connexins: Key Players in the Control of Vascular Plasticity and Function

Of the 21 members of the connexin family, 4 (Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45) are expressed in the endothelium and/or smooth muscle of intact blood vessels to a variable and dynamically regulated degree. Full-length connexins oligomerize and form channel structures connecting the cytosol of adjacent cells (gap junctions) or the cytosol with the extracellular space (hemichannels). The different connexins vary mainly with regard to length and sequence of their cytosolic COOH-terminal tails. These COOH-terminal parts, which in the case of Cx43 are also translated as independent short isoforms, are involved in various cellular signaling cascades and regulate cell functions. This review focuses on channel-dependent and -independent effects of connexins in vascular cells. Channels play an essential role in coordinating and synchronizing endothelial and smooth muscle activity and in their interplay, in the control of vasomotor actions of blood vessels including endothelial cell reactivity to agonist stimulation, nitric oxide-dependent dilation, and endothelial-derived hyperpolarizing factor-type responses. Further channel-dependent and -independent roles of connexins in blood vessel function range from basic processes of vascular remodeling and angiogenesis to vascular permeability and interactions with leukocytes with the vessel wall. Together, these connexin functions constitute an often underestimated basis for the enormous plasticity of vascular morphology and function enabling the required dynamic adaptation of the vascular system to varying tissue demands.

Connexins in the control of vasomotor function

Vascular endothelial cells, as well as smooth muscle cells, show heterogeneity with regard to their receptor expression and reactivity. For the vascular wall to act as a functional unit, the various cells' responses require integration. Such an integration is not only required for a homogeneous response of the vascular wall, but also for the vasomotor behaviour of consecutive segments of the microvascular arteriolar tree. As flow resistances of individual sections are connected in series, sections require synchronization and coordination to allow effective changes of conductivity and blood flow. A prerequisite for the local coordination of individual vascular cells and different sections of an arteriolar tree is intercellular communication. Connexins are involved in a dual manner in this coordination. (i) By forming gap junctions between cells, they allow an intercellular exchange of signalling molecules and electrical currents. In particular, the spread of electrical currents allows for coordination of cell responses over longer distances. (ii) Connexins are able to interact with other proteins to form signalling complexes. In this way, they can modulate and integrate individual cells' responses also in a channel-independent manner. This review outlines mechanisms allowing the vascular connexins to exert their coordinating function and to regulate the vasomotor reactions of blood vessels both locally, and in vascular networks. Wherever possible, we focus on the vasomotor behaviour of small vessels and arterioles which are the main vessels determining vascular resistance, blood pressure and local blood flow.

Myoendothelial coupling through Cx40 contributes to EDH-induced vasodilation in murine renal arteries: evidence from experiments and modelling

Regulation of renal vascular resistance plays a major role in controlling arterial blood pressure. The endothelium participates in this regulation as endothelial derived hyperpolarization plays a significant role in smaller renal arteries and arterioles, but the exact mechanisms are still unknown.

AIM

To investigate the role of vascular gap junctions and potassium channels in the renal endothelial derived hyperpolarization.

METHODS

In interlobar arteries from wild-type and connexin40 knockout mice, we assessed the role of calcium-activated small (SK) and intermediate (IK) conductance potassium channels. The role of inward rectifier potassium channels (Kir) and Na+ /K+ -ATPases was evaluated as was the contribution from gap junctions. Mathematical models estimating diffusion of ions and electrical coupling in myoendothelial gap junctions were used to interpret the results.

RESULTS

Lack of connexin40 significantly reduces renal endothelial hyperpolarization. Inhibition of SK and IK channels significantly attenuated renal EDH to a similar degree in wild-type and knockout mice. Inhibition of Kir and Na+ /K+ -ATPases affected the response in wild-type and knockout mice but at different levels of stimulation. The model confirms that activation of endothelial SK and IK channels generates a hyperpolarizing current that enters the vascular smooth muscle cells. Also, extracellular potassium increases sufficiently to activate Kir and Na+ /K+ -ATPases.

CONCLUSION

Renal endothelial hyperpolarization is mainly initiated by activation of IK and SK channels. The model shows that hyperpolarization can spread through myoendothelial gap junctions but enough potassium is released to activate Kir and Na+ /K+ -ATPases. Reduced coupling seems to shift the signalling pathway towards release of potassium. However, an alternative pathway also exists and needs to be investigated.

Role of renal vascular potassium channels in physiology and pathophysiology

The control of renal vascular tone is important for the regulation of salt and water balance, blood pressure and the protection against damaging elevated glomerular pressure. The K⁺ conductance is a major factor in the regulation of the membrane potential (V_m ) in vascular smooth muscle (VSMC) and endothelial cells (EC). The vascular tone is controlled by V_m via its effect on the opening probability of voltage-operated Ca²⁺ channels (VOCC) in VSMC. When K⁺ conductance increases V_m becomes more negative and vasodilation follows, while deactivation of K⁺ channels leads to depolarization and vasoconstriction. K⁺ channels in EC indirectly participate in the control of vascular tone by endothelium-derived vasodilation. Therefore, by regulating the tone of renal resistance vessels, K⁺ channels have a potential role in the control of fluid homoeostasis and blood pressure as well as in the protection of the renal parenchyma. The main classes of K⁺ channels (calcium activated (K_Ca ), inward rectifier (K_ir ), voltage activated (K_v ) and ATP sensitive (K_ATP )) have been found in the renal vessels. In this review, we summarize results available in the literature and our own studies in the field. We compare the ambiguous in vitro and in vivo results. We discuss the role of single types of K⁺ channels and the integrated function of several classes. We also deal with the possible role of renal vascular K⁺ channels in the pathophysiology of hypertension, diabetes mellitus and sepsis.

Can endothelial hemoglobin-α regulate nitric oxide vasodilatory signaling?

We used mathematical modeling to investigate nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilatory signaling in the arteriolar wall. Detailed continuum cellular models of calcium (Ca²⁺) dynamics and membrane electrophysiology in smooth muscle and endothelial cells (EC) were coupled with models of NO signaling and biotransport in an arteriole. We used this theoretical approach to examine the role of endothelial hemoglobin-α (Hbα) as a modulator of NO-mediated myoendothelial feedback, as previously suggested in Straub et al. (Nature 491: 473-477, 2012). The model considers enriched expression of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptors (IP₃Rs), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) enzyme, Ca²⁺-activated potassium (K_Ca) channels and Hbα in myoendothelial projections (MPs) between the two cell layers. The model suggests that NO-mediated myoendothelial feedback is plausible if a significant percentage of eNOS is localized within or near the myoendothelial projection. Model results show that the ability of Hbα to regulate the myoendothelial feedback is conditional to its colocalization with eNOS near MPs at concentrations in the high nanomolar range (>0.2 μM or 24,000 molecules). Simulations also show that the effect of Hbα observed in in vitro experimental studies may overestimate its contribution in vivo, in the presence of blood perfusion. Thus, additional experimentation is required to quantify the presence and spatial distribution of Hbα in the EC, as well as to test that the strong effect of Hbα on NO signaling seen in vitro, translates also into a physiologically relevant response in vivo.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Mathematical modeling shows that although regulation of nitric oxide signaling by hemoglobin-α (Hbα) is plausible, it is conditional to its presence in significant concentrations colocalized with endothelial nitric oxide synthase in myoendothelial projections. Additional experimentation is required to test that the strong effect of Hbα seen in vitro translates into a physiologically relevant response in vivo.

Stochastic model of endothelial TRPV4 calcium sparklets: effect of bursting and cooperativity on EDH

We examined the endothelial transient receptor vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) channel's vasodilatory signaling using mathematical modeling. The model analyzes experimental data by Sonkusare and coworkers on TRPV4-induced endothelial Ca(2+) events (sparklets). A previously developed continuum model of an endothelial and a smooth muscle cell coupled through microprojections was extended to account for the activity of a TRPV4 channel cluster. Different stochastic descriptions for the TRPV4 channel flux were examined using finite-state Markov chains. The model also took into consideration recent evidence for the colocalization of intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (IKCa) and TRPV4 channels near the microprojections. A single TRPV4 channel opening resulted in a stochastic localized Ca(2+) increase in a small region (i.e., few μm(2) area) close to the channel. We predict micromolar Ca(2+) increases lasting for the open duration of the channel sufficient for the activation of low-affinity endothelial KCa channels. Simulations of a cluster of four TRPV4 channels incorporating burst and cooperative gating kinetics provided quantal Ca(2+) increases (i.e., steps of fixed amplitude), similar to the experimentally observed Ca(2+) sparklets. These localized Ca(2+) events result in endothelium-derived hyperpolarization (and SMC relaxation), with magnitude that depends on event frequency. The gating characteristics (bursting, cooperativity) of the TRPV4 cluster enhance Ca(2+) spread and the distance of KCa channel activation. This may amplify the EDH response by the additional recruitment of distant KCa channels.

Contribution of K(+) channels to endothelium-derived hypolarization-induced renal vasodilation in rats in vivo and in vitro

We investigated the mechanisms behind the endothelial-derived hyperpolarization (EDH)-induced renal vasodilation in vivo and in vitro in rats. We assessed the role of Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels and whether K(+) released from the endothelial cells activates inward rectifier K(+) (Kir) channels and/or the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase. Also, involvement of renal myoendothelial gap junctions was evaluated in vitro. Isometric tension in rat renal interlobar arteries was measured using a wire myograph. Renal blood flow was measured in isoflurane anesthetized rats. The EDH response was defined as the ACh-induced vasodilation assessed after inhibition of nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase using L-NAME and indomethacin, respectively. After inhibition of small conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (SKCa) and intermediate conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels (IKCa) (by apamin and TRAM-34, respectively), the EDH response in vitro was strongly attenuated whereas the EDH response in vivo was not significantly reduced. Inhibition of Kir channels and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPases (by ouabain and Ba(2+), respectively) significantly attenuated renal vasorelaxation in vitro but did not affect the response in vivo. Inhibition of gap junctions in vitro using carbenoxolone or 18α-glycyrrhetinic acid significantly reduced the endothelial-derived hyperpolarization-induced vasorelaxation. We conclude that SKCa and IKCa channels are important for EDH-induced renal vasorelaxation in vitro. Activation of Kir channels and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPases plays a significant role in the renal vascular EDH response in vitro but not in vivo. The renal EDH response in vivo is complex and may consist of several overlapping mechanisms some of which remain obscure.

Involvement of gap junctions between smooth muscle cells in sustained hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction development: a potential role for 15-HETE and 20-HETE

In response to hypoxia, the pulmonary artery normally constricts to maintain optimal ventilation-perfusion matching in the lung, but chronic hypoxia leads to the development of pulmonary hypertension. The mechanisms of sustained hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the role of gap junctions (GJs) between smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in the sustained HPV development and involvement of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolites in GJ-mediated signaling. Vascular tone was measured in bovine intrapulmonary arteries (BIPAs) using isometric force measurement technique. Expression of contractile proteins was determined by Western blot. AA metabolites in the bath fluid were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Prolonged hypoxia elicited endothelium-independent sustained HPV in BIPAs. Inhibition of GJs by 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) and heptanol, nonspecific blockers, and Gap-27, a specific blocker, decreased HPV in deendothelized BIPAs. The sustained HPV was not dependent on Ca(2+) entry but decreased by removal of Ca(2+) and by Rho-kinase inhibition with Y-27632. Furthermore, inhibition of GJs decreased smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SM-MHC) expression and myosin light chain phosphorylation in BIPAs. Interestingly, inhibition of 15- and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (HETE) synthesis decreased HPV in deendothelized BIPAs. 15-HETE- and 20-HETE-stimulated constriction of BIPAs was inhibited by 18β-GA and Gap-27. Application of 15-HETE and 20-HETE to BIPAs increased SM-MHC expression, which was also suppressed by 18β-GA and by inhibitors of lipoxygenase and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. More interestingly, 15,20-dihydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and 20-OH-prostaglandin E2, novel derivatives of 20-HETE, were detected in tissue bath fluid and synthesis of these derivatives was almost completely abolished by 18β-GA. Taken together, our novel findings show that GJs between SMCs are involved in the sustained HPV in BIPAs, and 15-HETE and 20-HETE, through GJs, appear to mediate SM-MHC expression and contribute to the sustained HPV development.

Local pH domains regulate NHE3-mediated Na⁺ reabsorption in the renal proximal tubule

The proximal tubule Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 3 (NHE3), located in the apical dense microvilli (brush border), plays a major role in the reabsorption of NaCl and water in the renal proximal tubule. In response to a rise in blood pressure NHE3 redistributes in the plane of the plasma membrane to the base of the brush border, where NHE3 activity is reduced. This NHE3 redistribution is assumed to provoke pressure natriuresis; however, it is unclear how NHE3 redistribution per se reduces NHE3 activity. To investigate if the distribution of NHE3 in the brush border can change the reabsorption rate, we constructed a spatiotemporal mathematical model of NHE3-mediated Na(+) reabsorption across a proximal tubule cell and compared the model results with in vivo experiments in rats. The model predicts that when NHE3 is localized exclusively at the base of the brush border, it creates local pH microdomains that reduce NHE3 activity by >30%. We tested the model's prediction experimentally: the rat kidney cortex was loaded with the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye BCECF, and cells of the proximal tubule were imaged in vivo using confocal fluorescence microscopy before and after an increase of blood pressure by ∼50 mmHg. The experimental results supported the model by demonstrating that a rise of blood pressure induces the development of pH microdomains near the bottom of the brush border. These local changes in pH reduce NHE3 activity, which may explain the pressure natriuresis response to NHE3 redistribution.

Role of microprojections in myoendothelial feedback--a theoretical study

We investigated the role of myoendothelial projections (MPs) in endothelial cell (EC) feedback response to smooth muscle cell (SMC) stimulation using mathematical modelling. A previously developed compartmental EC-SMC model is modified to include MPs as subcellular compartments in the EC. The model is further extended into a 2D continuum model using a finite element method (FEM) approach and electron microscopy images to account for MP geometry. The EC and SMC are coupled via non-selective myoendothelial gap junctions (MEGJs) which are located on MPs and allow exchange of Ca(2+), K(+), Na(+) and Cl(-) ions and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3). Models take into consideration recent evidence for co-localization of intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (IKCa) and IP3 receptors (IP3Rs) in the MPs. SMC stimulation causes an IP3-mediated Ca(2+) transient in the MPs with limited global spread in the bulk EC. A hyperpolarizing feedback generated by the localized IKCa channels is transmitted to the SMC via MEGJs. MEGJ resistance (Rgj) and the density of IKCa and IP3R in the projection influence the extent of EC response to SMC stimulation. The predicted Ca(2+) transients depend also on the volume and geometry of the MP. We conclude that in the myoendothelial feedback response to SMC stimulation, MPs are required to amplify the SMC initiated signal. Simulations suggest that the signal is mediated by IP3 rather than Ca(2+) diffusion and that a localized rather than a global EC Ca(2+) mobilization is more likely following SMC stimulation.