Bioenergetic alterations in cultivated pulmonary artery and aortic endothelial cells exposed to normoxia and hypoxia

Cloning of a gene, YT521, for a novel RNA splicing-related protein induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation

To elucidate the role of astrocytes in the stress response of the central nervous system to ischemia, early gene expression was examined in rat cultured astrocytes after the exposure to hypoxia/reoxygenation, and we have previously cloned a novel RNA binding protein, RA301, from the reoxygenated astrocytes. Furthermore, we have now cloned a new gene for RA301 binding protein, termed YT521, by a yeast two-hybrid screening technique to explore RA301 functions. The YT521 cDNA is about 3200 bp long with an open reading frame encoding 712 amino acids. This amino acid sequence contains arginine-aspartic acid-glutamic acid rich region and glutamic acid rich one, and has a low degree of homology with RNA binding proteins such as U1-70k. Northern blot analysis revealed that YT521 mRNA expression was up-regulated in reoxygenated astrocytes. Induction of YT521 mRNA was mediated by endogenously generated reactive oxygen species, as it was suppressed by treatment of the cells with diphenyl iodonium which blocks oxygen-free radical formation by astrocytes. These expression patterns resembled those of RA301 mRNA. Far Western blot analysis showed that YT521 protein was not only interacting with RA301 protein, but also with SC35 and SF2, both of which are splicing factors. These results suggest that YT521 is a novel candidate for RNA splicing-related protein.

Hypoxia induces glucose transporter expression in endothelial cells

Endothelial cells in various tissues of the body are often exposed to hypoxic conditions. To examine the effects of sustained hypoxia on energy metabolism in endothelial cells, we have maintained bovine aortic and human umbilical vein endothelial cells in an atmosphere containing low oxygen concentrations (14 mmHg) for up to 96 h. We report here that endothelial cells maintained under these conditions upregulate their glucose transport activity, consume more glucose, and produce greater amounts of lactic acid than normoxic cells. Upregulation of glucose transport activity by hypoxic endothelial cells required several hours to occur, was associated with increased expression of mRNA and protein for the erythroid/brain form of the facilitative glucose transporter, and was not due to depletion of glucose from the medium. Prolonged treatment of endothelial cells with inhibitors or uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation (antimycin, azide, dinitrophenol) under normoxic conditions also upregulated glucose transporter expression. These results suggest that reduced rates of oxidative metabolism may represent an important signal for cells to adapt metabolically to hypoxia. Furthermore, in our examination of endothelial cell energy metabolism, we discovered that endothelial cells contain phosphocreatine and express both the brain and muscle isozymes of creatine kinase.

Hypoxia induces a specific set of stress proteins in cultured endothelial cells

Vascular endothelial cells (EC) are the initial cells within the vascular wall exposed to decreases in blood ambient oxygen concentration. The mechanisms by which they tolerate low levels of oxygen are unknown, but may parallel the response to other cellular stresses, such as heat shock. After 4-8 h of hypoxia, we found a decrease in total protein synthesis in both cultured bovine aortic and pulmonary arterial EC. SDS-PAGE and autoradiographic analysis of [35S]methionine-labeled proteins demonstrated the concomitant induction of a specific set of proteins (Mr 34, 36, 47, and 56 kD) in both cell types. These hypoxia-associated proteins (HAPs) were cell-associated and up-regulated in a time- and oxygen concentration-dependent manner. Comparison of these proteins with heat shock proteins (HSPs) demonstrated that HAPs were distinct from HSPs. EC maintained chronically in 3% O2 continued to synthesize elevated levels of HAPs, yet further up-regulated these proteins when exposed to 0% O2. The presence of five times the normal media glucose concentration did not alter the appearance of HAPs. Hypoxia sensitive renal tubular epithelial cells up-regulated no proteins corresponding to HAPs and were irreversibly damaged within 8 h of exposure to 0% O2. In vitro translation experiments demonstrated that the steady-state level of several mRNAs was higher in the anoxic EC than in normoxic EC and encoded for proteins of Mr 32, 35, 37, 40, and 48 kD that were different from proteins encoded by HSP mRNAs. The induction of HAPs during acute hypoxia and their continued synthesis in chronic hypoxia suggest that HAPs may be important in the maintenance of endothelial cell integrity under conditions of decreased ambient oxygen.

Effect of long-term hypoxia on cultured aortic and pulmonary arterial endothelial cells

In a previous study, we found a marked difference in the release of a cytokine, neutrophil chemoattractant activity (NCA), from cultured endothelial cells exposed to acute decreases in ambient oxygen, depending on the vascular bed of origin. In the current study, we used this cytokine to evaluate the effect of long-term exposure to decreased oxygen on endothelial cell function. We found that, in aortic and pulmonary arterial endothelial cells maintained for months in decreased ambient oxygen (10 or 3% oxygen), exposure to acute decreases in ambient oxygen caused a change in the pattern of NCA release; however, the differential response between the two cell types persisted. Aortic endothelial cells release NCA when exposed acutely to a level of oxygen below that in which they have been chronically maintained. In contrast, pulmonary arterial endothelial cells release NCA only when exposed to 0% oxygen acutely, but only if grown chronically in 10% oxygen; otherwise there was no release of NCA. As another indicator of endothelial cell function, we evaluated the effects of acute hypoxic exposure on prostacyclin production by endothelial cells maintained in 21 or 3% oxygen. If grown in 21% oxygen, both cell types decreased prostacyclin production upon exposure to 0% oxygen. However, when grown in 3% oxygen, only aortic endothelial cells decreased prostacyclin production when exposed acutely to 0% oxygen; pulmonary arterial endothelial cell prostacyclin production did not change. This study demonstrating the persistence of a differential pattern of NCA release and the appearance of a differential pattern of prostacyclin production after a long-term decrease in environmental oxygen suggests that the capacity of certain vascular endothelial cells to respond to decreases in oxygen concentration is carried by the cell throughout its existence. Thus, in certain situations, vascular endothelial cells may be important in sensing acute decreases in ambient oxygen.

The effect of hypoxia on capillary endothelial cell function: modulation of barrier and coagulant function

As the cells forming the luminal vascular surface, endothelium is exposed to alterations in the vascular microenvironment, such as hypoxaemia. In this report we demonstrate that hypoxia, with pO2 as low as 12-14 mmHg, was not toxic to endothelium, but reversibly modulated central cellular functions essential for maintenance of homeostasis: permeability of monolayers to solutes increased in a dose-dependent manner, and cell surface coagulant properties were shifted to promote activation of coagulation. The anticoagulant cofactor thrombomodulin was suppressed and an apparently novel activator of factor X, distinct from the classical extrinsic and intrinsic systems, was induced. The hypoxia-induced factor X activator was cell surface-associated, had properties of a cysteine protease, had Mr corresponding to approximately 100 kDa, based on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and isoelectric point (pI) approximately 5.0. These findings indicate that hypoxia dynamically modulates endothelial function providing insights into the contribution of microvascular endothelial dysfunction in the pathogenesis of vascular lesions.

Hypoxia modulates the barrier and coagulant function of cultured bovine endothelium. Increased monolayer permeability and induction of procoagulant properties

Exposure of cultured endothelium to environments with low concentrations of oxygen, in the range of those observed in pathophysiologic hypoxemic states in vivo, compromises cellular barrier and coagulant function. An atmosphere with PO2 approximately 14 mm Hg was not lethally toxic to endothelial cultures, but cells became larger and exhibited small intercellular gaps. At low oxygen concentrations, passage of macromolecular tracers through hypoxic endothelial monolayers was accelerated in a time- and dose-dependent manner, presumably by a paracellular pathway via the gaps. Cell surface coagulant properties of the endothelium were also perturbed. At PO2 approximately 14 mm Hg thrombomodulin antigen and functional activity on the cell surface were diminished by 80-90%, and Northern blots demonstrated suppression of thrombomodulin mRNA. The decrease in thrombomodulin was twice as great compared with the general decline in total protein synthesis in hypoxia. In addition, expression of a direct Factor X activator developed under hypoxic conditions; the activator was membrane-associated and expressed on the surface of intact cultures, Ca-dependent, inhibited by HgCl2 but not PMSF, and had Km approximately 25 micrograms/ml for the substrate at pH 7.4. Synthesis of the activator was blocked by inclusion of cycloheximide, but not warfarin, in the culture medium. These results demonstrate that endothelial function is perturbed in a selective manner in the presence of low concentrations of oxygen, providing insights into mechanisms which may contribute to vascular dysfunction in hypoxemic states.

Endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to aggregating platelets in porcine femoral veins and its modulation by diet

The present study examined the protective role of the venous endothelium against aggregating platelets and its modulation by diet. Yorkshire pigs were fed a regular chow (control pigs), 2% high-cholesterol diet (for 10 weeks, cholesterol-fed pigs), and regular chow plus cod-liver oil (30 ml/day for 4 weeks, oil-fed pigs). Endothelium-dependent responses were examined in vitro in rings of femoral veins in the presence of the inhibitor of cyclooxygenase indomethacin. In control pigs, aggregating platelets, serotonin, and ADP caused endothelium-dependent relaxations. The platelet-induced relaxations were attenuated by methiothepin (a combined 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 serotonergic blocker) or apyrase (an ADPase and ATPase) and were abolished by the combination of the two agents. In quiescent rings, platelets caused contractions, which were reduced in the presence of endothelium; the contractions were prevented by ketanserin (a 5-HT2 serotonergic blocker) or methiothepin but not by R 68 070 (a thromboxane A2 receptor blocker) or dazoxiben (a thromboxane-synthetase blocker). In cholesterol-fed pigs, the platelet-induced relaxations were not altered, whereas in oil-fed pigs, the endothelium-dependent relaxations to platelets, serotonin, and ADP were augmented. Platelet-induced contractions were significantly reduced in rings with endothelium from oil-fed pigs, whereas the contractions were comparable in rings without endothelium among the three groups. Endothelium-dependent relaxations in response to the calcium ionophore A23187, direct relaxations in response to sodium nitroprusside, and direct contractions in response to potassium chloride were comparable among the three groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Glycolytic activity and enhancement of serotonin uptake by endothelial cells exposed to hypoxia/anoxia

Serotonin (5-HT) uptake by bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells in culture was stimulated several fold by exposure of cells for 24 hours to 0-3% O2. The cells appeared normal morphologically, excluded trypan blue dye, showed normal levels of release of lactate dehydrogenase, and contained normal amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Incubation of cells with iodoacetate (3-5 microM), an inhibitor of glycolytic metabolism, prevented the stimulation of 5-HT uptake but did not impair cellular proliferation. A similar, but less pronounced, effect was produced by 1 mM deoxyglucose. On the other hand, the mitochondrial inhibitors antimycin A, sodium azide, potassium cyanide, and 2,4-dinitrophenol inhibited cellular replication similar to the effect of anoxia but did not alter the stimulation of 5-HT uptake. 5-HT uptake correlated strongly with lactate production by the cells exposed to anoxia (r = 0.98). We conclude that stimulation of 5-HT uptake by prolonged exposure of the endothelial cell to hypoxia/anoxia causes alteration of a membrane function (serotonin transport) of the endothelial cell. This alteration is associated with enhanced glycolytic activity of the cell during exposure to hypoxia. The mechanism for translation of enhanced glycolysis to later stimulation of 5-HT uptake remains to be determined. Endothelial cellular replication is dependent on aerobic metabolism.

Effect of NO2 exposure on antioxidant defense of endothelial cells

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), an environmental oxidant pollutant, is toxic to lung cells. We evaluated the changes in antioxidant enzyme activities in porcine pulmonary artery (PA) and aortic (AO) endothelial cells in monolayer cultures. Confluent PA or AO endothelial cells were exposed to 3 or 5 ppm NO2 or air (control) for 3-24 h and assayed for GSH-reductase (GSH-red), GSH-peroxidase (GSH-per), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activities as well as for intracellular GSH content. After 3, 6, or 12 h exposure to 3 or 5 ppm, GSH-red and G6PDH activities were not different from those of controls in both PA and AO endothelial cells. Exposure to 3 or 5 ppm NO2 for 24 h resulted in significant increases in GSH-red (P less than 0.05) and G6PDH (P less than 0.001) activities in both cell types. GSH-per activity and GSH content in NO2-exposed PA and AO endothelial cells were not different from those of controls, irrespective of NO2 concentration and exposure time. These results indicate that enzyme activities of G6PDH and GSH-red are increased in PA and AO endothelial cells exposed to NO2, and this response is comparable, in part, to that in the lungs from animals exposed to NO2.

Serotonin uptake by bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells in culture. II. Stimulation by hypoxia

Exposure of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells to 3% O2 resulted in approximately twofold stimulation of serotonin (5-HT) uptake after 24-48 h when compared with cells exposed to 20% O2. The enhanced uptake was reversed after 48 h when cells were again placed in 20% O2. The stimulation was not observed after 0.5 or 2 h of exposure to hypoxia. The stimulation was present when iproniazid blocked conversion of 5-HT to 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, indicating that enhanced uptake did not occur through augmentation of monoamine oxidase activity. Stimulation of uptake by hypoxia occurred at low concentrations of 5-HT (up to 10(-6) M) but not at high 5-HT concentrations (greater than 10(-5) M) and was blocked by imipramine or absence of sodium from the medium, indicating that high-affinity transport and not diffusion of 5-HT was stimulated. Furthermore, exposure of cells to hypoxia did not produce morphological evidence of injury or change in protein content or trypan blue exclusion. The cell number of 3% O2-exposed cells was slightly reduced when compared with controls after 48 h. There was no change in cellular ATP or increase in lactate dehydrogenase in medium of cells exposed to 3% O2. Thus exposure of endothelial cells in culture to hypoxia stimulates the membrane activity of 5-HT accumulation with no evidence of injury to the cell.

Effects of hypoxia and hyperoxia on proteoglycan production by bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells in culture were used to assess the influence of oxygen tension on proteoglycan synthesis. Cells exposed to 3% O2 (hypoxia) for 72 h and then labeled with [35S]sulfate for 5 h accumulated significantly less [35S]proteoglycan in medium than cells exposed to 20% O2 (control). This decrease was due primarily to a reduction in heparan sulfate. Cells exposed to 80% O2 (hyperoxia) for 72 h secreted slightly more [35S]proteoglycan into medium than controls. Greater accumulation of chondroitin sulfate was responsible for the increase. The amount of cell-associated proteoglycan did not change significantly in cells cultured in 3% or 80% O2 as compared with control cells cultured in 20% O2. Proteoglycans produced by hypoxia- or hyperoxia-treated cells were found to be similar in size to proteoglycans produced by cells cultured at 20% O2. Glycosaminoglycan sulfation, as measured by ion-exchange chromatography, did not appear to change with varying oxygen tensions. Our results demonstrate that production of proteoglycans secreted by endothelial cells in culture is sensitive to oxygen tension.

Hypoxia-induced contractions of porcine pulmonary artery strips depend on intact endothelium

Experiments were carried out to test the hypothesis that intact endothelium is required for hypoxia-induced contractions of pulmonary vascular muscle in vitro. To study this possibility, we cut pairs of transverse strips from main pulmonary arteries of pigs, removed the endothelium from one strip, and mounted the strips on force transducers in separate tissue baths. After an adaptation period of 4-6 h at an oxygen tension of 40 torr, strips with intact endothelium contracted spontaneously when the oxygen tension was decreased from 140 torr to near zero torr (6.5 +/- 1.1 gm-wt/cm2, mean +/- SEM) whereas strips without endothelium contracted significantly less (1.0 +/- 0.3 gm-wt/cm2, p less than 0.001, n = 14 pairs). However, strips with and without endothelium contracted equally in response to incremental concentrations of norepinephrine. Each of several drugs (atropine, propranolol, phentolamine, or indomethacin, each 10(-5) M) had no effect on hypoxia-induced contractions when added to the bath prior to hypoxia. Similarly, a decrease in bath pH from 7.4 to 7.2 had no effect. Because we suspected that the endothelium might be releasing a mediator causing increased tone in response to hypoxia, we cleansed the bath during hypoxia, but this maneuver did not change hypoxia-induced contractions. Placing strips with intact endothelium close to strips without endothelium and measuring tension in the bath during hypoxia did not induce contractions in the strip without endothelium. We conclude that an intact endothelium is necessary for hypoxia-induced contractions in vitro in main pulmonary arteries from pigs. Although main pulmonary arteries are not primarily responsible for hypoxic vasoconstriction in vivo, our findings suggest a possible role for endothelium in the pulmonary vascular response to hypoxia.