Clathrin-dependent internalization, signaling, and metabolic processing of guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A

Cardiac hormones, atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP), have pivotal roles in renal hemodynamics, neuroendocrine signaling, blood pressure regulation, and cardiovascular homeostasis. Binding of ANP and BNP to the guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A (GC-A/NPRA) induces rapid internalization and trafficking of the receptor via endolysosomal compartments, with concurrent generation of cGMP. However, the mechanisms of the endocytotic processes of NPRA are not well understood. The present study, using ¹²⁵I-ANP binding assay and confocal microscopy, examined the function of dynamin in the internalization of NPRA in stably transfected human embryonic kidney-293 (HEK-293) cells. Treatment of recombinant HEK-293 cells with ANP time-dependently accelerated the internalization of receptor from the cell surface to the cell interior. However, the internalization of ligand-receptor complexes of NPRA was drastically decreased by the specific inhibitors of clathrin- and dynamin-dependent receptor internalization, almost 85% by monodansylcadaverine, 80% by chlorpromazine, and 90% by mutant dynamin, which are specific blockers of endocytic vesicle formation. Visualizing the internalization of NPRA and enhanced GFP-tagged NPRA in HEK-293 cells by confocal microscopy demonstrated the formation of endocytic vesicles after 5 min of ANP treatment; this effect was blocked by the inhibitors of clathrin and by mutant dynamin construct. Our results suggest that NPRA undergoes internalization via clathrin-mediated endocytosis as part of its normal itinerary, including trafficking, signaling, and metabolic degradation.

The Nox1/4 Dual Inhibitor GKT137831 or Nox4 Knockdown Inhibits Angiotensin-II-Induced Adult Mouse Cardiac Fibroblast Proliferation and Migration. AT1 Physically Associates With Nox4

Both oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to chronic hypertension-induced myocardial fibrosis and adverse cardiac remodeling. Here we investigated whether angiotensin (Ang)-II-induced fibroblast proliferation and migration are NADPH oxidase (Nox) 4/ROS and IL-18 dependent. Our results show that the potent induction of mouse cardiac fibroblast (CF) proliferation and migration by Ang-II is markedly attenuated by Nox4 knockdown and the Nox inhibitor DPI. Further, Nox4 knockdown and DPI pre-treatment attenuated Ang-II-induced IL-18, IL-18Rα and collagen expression, and MMP9 and LOX activation. While neutralization of IL-18 blunted Ang-II-induced CF proliferation and migration, knockdown of MMP9 attenuated CF migration. The antioxidant NAC and the cell-permeable SOD mimetics Tempol, MnTBAP, and MnTMPyP attenuated oxidative stress and inhibited CF proliferation and migration. The Nox1/Nox4 dual inhibitor GKT137831 also blunted Ang-II-induced H2 O2 production and CF proliferation and migration. Further, AT1 bound Nox4, and Ang-II enhanced their physical association. Notably, GKT137831 attenuated the AT1/Nox4 interaction. These results indicate that Ang-II induces CF proliferation and migration in part via Nox4/ROS-dependent IL-18 induction and MMP9 activation, and may involve AT1/Nox4 physical association. Thus, either (i) neutralizing IL-18, (ii) blocking AT1/Nox4 interaction or (iii) use of the Nox1/Nox4 inhibitor GKT137831 may have therapeutic potential in chronic hypertension-induced adverse cardiac remodeling.

Aldosterone-induced cardiomyocyte growth, and fibroblast migration and proliferation are mediated by TRAF3IP2

Sustained activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) contributes to the pathogenesis of heart failure. Aldosterone (Aldo) is known to induce both myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis through oxidative stress and proinflammatory pathways. Here we have investigated whether Aldo-mediated cardiomycocyte hypertrophy is dependent on TRAF3IP2, an upstream regulator of IKK and JNK. We also investigated whether the pro-mitogenic and pro-migratory effects of Aldo on cardiac fibroblasts are also mediated by TRAF3IP2. Aldo induced both superoxide and hydrogen peroxide in isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes (CM), and upregulated TRAF3IP2 expression in part via the mineralocorticoid receptor and oxidative stress. Silencing TRAF3IP2 blunted Aldo-induced IKKβ, p65, JNK, and c-Jun activation, IL-18, IL-6 and CT-1 upregulation, and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. In isolated adult mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CF), Aldo stimulated TRAF3IP2-dependent IL-18 and IL-6 production, CTGF, collagen I and III expression, MMP2 activation, and proliferation and migration. These in vitro results suggest that TRAF3IP2 may play a causal role in Aldo-induced adverse cardiac remodeling in vivo, and identify TRAF3IP2 as a potential therapeutic target in hypertensive heart disease.

Intratracheal administration of cyclooxygenase-1-transduced adipose tissue-derived stem cells ameliorates monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats

The effect of intratracheal administration of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1)-modified adipose stem cells (ASCs) on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension (MCT-PH) was investigated in the rat. The COX-1 gene was cloned from rat intestinal cells, fused with a hemagglutanin (HA) tag, and cloned into a lentiviral vector. The COX-1 lentiviral vector was shown to enhance COX-1 protein expression and inhibit proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells without increasing apoptosis. Human ASCs transfected with the COX-1 lentiviral vector (ASCCOX-1) display enhanced COX-1 activity while exhibiting similar differentiation potential compared with untransduced (native) ASCs. PH was induced in rats with MCT, and the rats were subsequently treated with intratracheal injection of ASCCOX-1 or untransduced ASCs. The intratracheal administration of ASCCOX-1 3 × 10(6) cells on day 14 after MCT treatment significantly attenuated MCT-induced PH when hemodynamic values were measured on day 35 after MCT treatment whereas administration of untransduced ASCs had no significant effect. These results indicate that intratracheally administered ASCCOX-1 persisted for at least 21 days in the lung and attenuate MCT-induced PH and right ventricular hypertrophy. In addition, vasodilator responses to the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside were not altered by the presence of ASCCOX-1 in the lung. These data emphasize the effectiveness of ASCCOX-1 in the treatment of experimentally induced PH.

Functional silencing of guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A by microRNA interference: analysis of receptor endocytosis

Guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A (GC-A/NPRA) is the principal receptor for the regulatory action of atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP) and an important effector molecule in controlling of extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure homeostasis. We have utilized RNA interference to silence the expression of GC-A/NPRA gene (Npr1), providing a novel system to study the internalization and trafficking of NPRA in intact cells. MicroRNA (miRNA)-mediated small interfering RNA (siRNA) elicited functional gene-knockdown of NPRA in stably transfected human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells expressing a high density of recombinant NPRA. We artificially expressed three RNA polymerase II-driven miRNAs that specifically targeted the Npr1 gene, but shared no significant sequence homology with any other known mouse genes. Reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Northern blot analyses identified two highly efficient Npr1 miRNA sequences to knockdown the expression of NPRA. The Npr1 miRNA in chains or clusters decreased NPRA expression more than 90% as compared with control cells. ANP-dependent stimulation of intracellular accumulation of cGMP and guanylyl cyclase activity of NPRA were significantly reduced in Npr1 miRNA-expressing cells by 90-95% as compared with control cells. Treatment with Npr1 miRNA caused a drastic reduction in the receptor density subsequently a deceased internalization of radiolabeled (125)I-ANP-NPRA ligand-receptor complexes. Only 12%-15% of receptor population was localized in the intracellular compartments of microRNA silenced cells as compared to 70%-80% in control cells.

Disruption of Npr1 gene differentially regulates the juxtaglomerular and distal tubular renin levels in null mutant mice

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) exerts an inhibitory effect on juxtaglomerular (JG) renin synthesis and release by activating guanylyl cyclase/ natriuretic peptide receptor-A (GC-A/NPRA). Renin has also been localized in connecting tubule cells; however, the effect of ANP/NPRA signaling on tubular renin has not been determined. In the present study, we determined the role of NPRA in regulating both JG and tubular renin using Npr1 (coding for NPRA) gene-disrupted mice, which exhibit a hypertensive phenotype. Renin-positive immunoreactivity in Npr1(-/-) homozygous null mutant mice was significantly reduced compared with Npr1(+/+) wild-type mice (23% vs 69% renin-positive glomeruli). However, after chronic diuretic treatment, Npr1(-/-) mice showed an increment of JG renin immunoreactivity compared with Npr1(+/+) mice (70% vs 81% renin-positive glomeruli). There were no significant differences in the distal tubule renin between Npr1(+/+) and Npr1(-/-) mice. However, after diuretic treatment, Npr1(-/-) mice showed a significant decrease in renin immunoreactivity in principal cells of cortical collecting ducts (p<0.05). The increased JG renin immunoreactivity after reduction in blood pressure in diuretic-treated Npr1(-/-) mice, demonstrates an inhibitory action of ANP/NPRA system on JG renin; however, a decreased expression of distal tubular renin suggests a differential effect of ANP/NPRA signaling on JG and distal tubular renin.

β2 adrenergic activation induces the expression of IL-18 binding protein, a potent inhibitor of isoproterenol induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro and myocardial hypertrophy in vivo

Both the sympathetic nervous system and the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18) play key roles in the pathophysiology of the hypertrophied failing heart. IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), a natural inhibitor of IL-18, counters its biological effects. β-AR stimulation induces IL-18 expression, but whether it also regulates IL-18BP is not known. Here we demonstrate that the β-AR agonist isoproterenol (ISO) increases steady state IL-18BP mRNA and protein levels in adult mouse cardiomyocytes in a β(2)-AR-dependent manner. We cloned mouse Il18bp 5'cis-regulatory region, and identified putative CREB and C/EBPβ transcription factor-binding sites. Forced expression of mutant CREB or C/EBPβ knockdown markedly attenuated ISO-induced Il18bp transcription and deletion or mutation of CREB and C/EBP motifs in the Il18bp promoter reduced ISO-induced promoter-reporter gene activity. ISO induced CREB and C/EBPβ activation in cardiomyocytes via PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2. Importantly, ISO-induced hypertrophy in vitro was dependent on IL-18 induction as it was blunted by IL-18 neutralizing antibodies and forced expression of IL-18BP. Moreover, ISO-induced hypertrophy was markedly attenuated in IL-18 null and IL-18BP transgenic mice. These data support the novel concept that β-AR activation, in addition to inducing cardiomyocyte hypertrophy via IL-18, concomitantly induces a countering effect by stimulating IL-18BP expression, and that ISO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy may result from a net effect of IL-18 and IL-18BP induction.

Guanylyl cyclase/natriuretic peptide receptor-A gene disruption causes increased adrenal angiotensin II and aldosterone levels

Disruption of the guanylyl cyclase-A/natriuretic peptide receptor-A (GC-A/NPRA) gene leads to elevated arterial blood pressure and congestive heart failure in mice lacking NPRA. This study was aimed at determining whether Npr1 (coding for GC-A/NPRA) gene copy number affects adrenal ANG II and aldosterone (Aldo) levels in a gene-dose-dependent manner in Npr1 gene-targeted mice. Adrenal ANG II and Aldo levels increased in 1-copy mice compared with 2-copy mice, but decreased in 3-copy and 4-copy mice. In contrast, renal ANG II levels decreased in 1-copy (25%), 3-copy (38%), and 4-copy (39%) mice compared with 2-copy mice. The low-salt diet stimulated adrenal ANG II and Aldo levels in 1-copy (20 and 2,441%), 2-copy (15 and 2,339%), 3-copy (20 and 424%), and 4-copy (31 and 486%) mice, respectively. The high-salt diet suppressed adrenal ANG II and Aldo levels in 1-copy (46 and 29%) and 2-copy (38 and 17%) mice. On the other hand, the low-salt diet stimulated renal ANG II levels in 1-copy (45%), 2-copy (45%), 3-copy (59%), and 4-copy (48%) mice. However, the high-salt diet suppressed renal ANG II levels in 1-copy (28%) and 2-copy (27%) mice. In conclusion, NPRA signaling antagonizes adrenal ANG II and Aldo levels in a gene-dose dependent manner. Increased adrenal ANG II and Aldo levels may play an important role in elevated arterial blood pressure and progressive hypertension, leading to renal and vascular injury in Npr1 gene-disrupted mice.