Angiotensin II stimulates nitric oxide production in pulmonary artery endothelium via the type 2 receptor

We previously reported that angiotensin II stimulates an increase in nitric oxide production in pulmonary artery endothelial cells. The aims of this study were to determine which receptor subtype mediates the angiotensin II-dependent increase in nitric oxide production and to investigate the roles of the angiotensin type 1 and type 2 receptors in modulating angiotensin II-dependent vasoconstriction in pulmonary arteries. Pulmonary artery endothelial cells express both angiotensin II type 1 and type 2 receptors as assessed by RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and flow cytometry. Treatment of the endothelial cells with PD-123319, a type 2 receptor antagonist, prevented the angiotensin II-dependent increase in nitric oxide synthase mRNA, protein levels, and nitric oxide production. In contrast, the type 1 receptor antagonist losartan enhanced nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels, protein expression, and nitric oxide production. Pretreatment of the endothelial cells with either PD-123319 or an anti-angiotensin II antibody prevented this losartan enhancement of nitric oxide production. Angiotensin II-dependent enhanced hypoxic contractions in pulmonary arteries were blocked by the type 1 receptor antagonist candesartan; however, PD-123319 enhanced hypoxic contractions in angiotensin II-treated endothelium-intact vessels. These data demonstrate that angiotensin II stimulates an increase in nitric oxide synthase mRNA, protein expression, and nitric oxide production via the type 2 receptor, whereas signaling via the type 1 receptor negatively regulates nitric oxide production in the pulmonary endothelium. This endothelial, type 2 receptor-dependent increase in nitric oxide may serve to counterbalance the angiotensin II-dependent vasoconstriction in smooth muscle cells, ultimately regulating pulmonary vascular tone.

Modulation of cGMP by human HO-1 retrovirus gene transfer in pulmonary microvessel endothelial cells

Carbon monoxide (CO) stimulates guanylate cyclase (GC) and increases guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels. We transfected rat-lung pulmonary endothelial cells with a retrovirus-mediated human heme oxygenase (hHO)-1 gene. Pulmonary cells that expressed hHO-1 exhibited a fourfold increase in HO activity associated with decreases in the steady-state levels of heme and cGMP without changes in soluble GC (sGC) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS) proteins or basal nitrite production. Heme elicited significant increases in CO production and intracellular cGMP levels in both pulmonary endothelial and pulmonary hHO-1-expressing cells. N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), an inhibitor of NOS, significantly decreased cGMP levels in heme-treated pulmonary endothelial cells but not heme-treated hHO-1-expressing cells. In the presence of exogenous heme, CO and cGMP levels in hHO-1-expressing cells exceeded the corresponding levels in pulmonary endothelial cells. Acute exposure of endothelial cells to SnCl2, which is an inducer of HO-1, increased cGMP levels, whereas chronic exposure decreased heme and cGMP levels. These results indicate that prolonged overexpression of HO-1 ultimately decreases sGC activity by limiting the availability of cellular heme. Heme activates sGC and enhances cGMP levels via a mechanism that is largely insensitive to NOS inhibition.

ANG II stimulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in bovine pulmonary artery endothelium

Although angiotensin II (ANG II) is a known pulmonary vasoconstrictor, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ANG II on pulmonary artery endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) mRNA and protein expression. Cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial (BPAE; passages 5-8) cells were incubated for 0-12 h with 10(-6) M ANG II. Total RNA was extracted, and ecNOS expression was assessed by Northern blot analysis. In BPAE cells, ecNOS mRNA was significantly increased 2.4 +/- 0.3-fold (P < 0.05 vs. basal; n = 5) 6 h after the addition of ANG II over basal levels. In & similar time course, it was found that ecNOS protein concentrations are increased 247 +/- 62% (P < 0.05 vs. basal; n = 8) over basal levels 4 h after ANG II addition. There is a second protein peak 8 h after ANG II addition in which ecNOS was increased 333 +/- 145% over basal (P < 0.05, n = 3). These data suggest that ANG II stimulates ecNOS mRNA expression and are followed by increased levels of ecNOS protein in cultured BPAE cells, consistent with an observed increase in nitrite production. Both the increase in ecNOS protein and mRNA expression could be inhibited with the ANG II receptor antagonist saralasin. Additionally, actinomycin D, an inhibitor of transcription, prevented the rise in mRNA at 6 h while cycloheximide inhibited the initial protein peak. The effects of ANG II on ecNOS were specific for the pulmonary artery endothelium. Addition of ANG II did not increase ecNOS protein or mRNA expression in parallel studies in bovine coronary artery endothelium. The stimulation of ecNOS by ANG II may act to protect the lung and maintain low pulmonary artery pressures in the renin-angiotensin model of systemic hypertension.

Peripheral hypertension and alterations in pulmonary vascular regulation

We have recently reported in normal isolated-perfused rat lungs that low basal tone appears to be regulated by nitric oxide (NO)-dependent and -independent mechanisms of soluble guanylate cyclase activation. In this study, we examined the role of NO in the regulation of pulmonary artery (PA) tone from rats with renin-dependent hypertension. Rats were made hypertensive by ligating the abdominal aorta above the left and below the right renal artery (aortic coarctation, AC). Mean arterial pressure significantly increased from 119 +/- 8.4 mmHg in control animals to 156 +/- 15 mmHg 7-14 days after AC surgery. PA pressures, however, remained unchanged (8.5 +/- 3.4 mmHg in control animals vs. 11 +/- 3.3 mmHg in AC animals). Hypoxic contractions in U-46619 precontracted isolated small PA (160-260 microns diameter) were significantly increased from 51 +/- 13 mg in the control group to 142 +/- 38 mg (P < or = 0.05) in AC animals. Nitro-L-arginine (NLA; 100 microM) contractions were also enhanced in the AC animal. The enhanced NLA response may correlate with an increase in endothelial cell NO synthase (NOS) as detected by Western blotting (132 +/- 28% of control; P < 0.05). These data suggest that, in this renin-dependent model of systemic hypertension, there is increased endothelial cell NOS activity that maintains low PA tone, preventing the lung from developing increased pressures.

Early regulatory changes in rat pulmonary artery of renin-dependent systemic hypertension models

Patients with systemic hypertension of various etiologies maintain their pulmonary artery pressures within normal limits. We have reported in isolated perfused rat lungs that low basal tone appears to be regulated by nitric oxide (NO)-dependent and -independent mechanisms of soluble guanylate cyclase activation, and similar results are seen in isolated small pulmonary arteries (PA) from these animals. The abdominal aorta of rats was ligated above the left and below the right renal artery (aortic coarctation, AC). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of 24-h post-AC rats (MAP 123 +/- 7.1 mm Hg and PAP 4.2 +/- 0.9 mm Hg) showed no significant change when compared with those of sham control rats (MAP 116 +/- 7.0 mm Hg and PAP 5.0 +/- 0.04 mm Hg). Hypoxic contractions in isolated small rat PA (160 to 260 microns diameter) were significantly increased from 56.7 +/- 12.0 mg in the control group to 139 +/- 31 mg in the 24-h post-AC rats (P < 0.05). PA contractions in the presence of 100 microM nitro-L-arginine (NLA) increased from 102 +/- 34 mg among the sham control group to 261 +/- 30 mg among the 24-h post AC rats (P < 0.05). After NLA, the hypoxic contractions decreased to 15 +/- 2.9 mg in the control rats and 45 +/- 16 mg in the 24-h post-AC rats when compared with pre-NLA values (P < 0.05). Western and Northern blotting of protein and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) extracted from the whole rat lung showed a significant rise in endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (EcNOS; 207 +/- 34%) and EcNOS mRNA (2-fold) when comparing controls with 24-h post-AC rats. These data indicate that there is increased EcNOS activity and synthesis that maintain low PA tone in these rat models as early as 24 h after AC; in addition, this effect is independent of the systemic blood pressure.

NO and H2O2 mechanisms of guanylate cyclase activation in oxygen-dependent responses of rat pulmonary circulation

Pulmonary hypoxic vasoconstriction appears to have both endothelium-dependent and -independent regulatory pathways. We have previously described a mechanism of guanylate cyclase activation in isolated pulmonary arteries that is smooth muscle contained and oxygen tension dependent. In this study we examine this mechanism, involving H2O2 metabolism by catalase, and its relationship to endothelial-derived nitric oxide in the regulation of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) by oxygen tension. Using probes selective for these two distinct mechanisms of guanylate cyclase activation, we found in the isolated buffer-perfused rat lung that 100 microM nitro-L-arginine (NLA), an inhibitor of NO formation, increased baseline PAP from 4.8 +/- 0.6 to 6.0 +/- 0.6 mmHg and hypoxic PAP from 6.8 +/- 0.8 to 8.56 +/- 0.6 mmHg. Aminotriazole (AT), an inhibitor of H2O2 metabolism by catalase, also increased PAP from 4.5 +/- 0.9 to 6.1 +/- 2.0 mmHg (P < or = 0.05) and hypoxic PAP from 6.0 +/- 1.7 to 8.7 +/- 2.7 mmHg (P < or = 0.05). Additionally, while NLA did not affect the vasodilation that occurs upon reoxygenation, AT inhibited the immediate response to reoxygenation. In the presence of both NLA and AT, baseline PAP increased from 4.25 +/- 0.8 to 9.9 +/- 0.92 mmHg (P < or = 0.05), but hypoxia did not significantly increase PAP and the reoxygenation response was inhibited. These data suggest that both NO and H2O2-catalase mechanisms contribute to a similar degree to maintain low PAP under normoxic conditions. The removal of either mediator may contribute to hypoxic vasoconstriction.

Hydrogen peroxide-induced pulmonary vasodilation: role of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), but not tertbutyl hydroperoxide, produces a concentration-dependent vasodilation of the pulmonary circulation in isolated saline perfused rabbit lungs when pulmonary arterial pressures (PAP) are raised with the thromboxane analogue U-46619. This vasodilation was enhanced in the presence of indomethacin, suggesting that H2O2 possesses both a prostaglandin-mediated constrictor and an additional dilator mechanism. In isolated rabbit intrapulmonary arteries the endothelium did not alter the dose-dependent relaxation of arterial rings to H2O2, and indomethacin enhanced the relaxant response of the peroxide. The decrease in PAP and relaxation of isolated pulmonary arteries observed with H2O2 was attenuated with 10 microM methylene blue, an inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase activation. M & B 22948, a guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, enhanced the vasodilation or relaxation to the peroxide in both preparations. These changes were not endothelium dependent. Inhibition of the cGMP-associated endothelium-derived relaxant factor (EDRF) with nitro-L-arginine, did not alter relaxation of arterial rings to peroxide. Thus H2O2 appears to produce pulmonary vasodilation through the activation of guanylate cyclase and accumulation of cGMP. Both H2O2 and EDRF may function as tonic stimulators of guanylate cyclase in the pulmonary circulation and contribute to the maintenance of low basal pressures.

Inhibition of coronary artery superoxide dismutase attenuates endothelium-dependent and -independent nitrovasodilator relaxation

Isolated bovine coronary arteries were treated with 10 mM diethyldithiocarbamate (DETCA) for 30 minutes to deplete the cytosolic ZnCu form of superoxide dismutase (SOD). This treatment completely inhibited the endothelium- and cGMP-dependent relaxation to acetylcholine (mediated via the endothelium-derived relaxing factor, which is thought to be nitric oxide) without significantly inhibiting endothelium-dependent relaxation to arachidonic acid (mediated by prostaglandins). DETCA treatment of endothelial cells cultured from the coronary arteries inhibited bradykinin-elicited release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, which was detected by bioassay on an isolated rabbit aorta in the presence of extracellular SOD. DETCA also inhibited cGMP-associated relaxations to nitric oxide and to vasodilators thought to function via the generation of this mediator (nitroglycerin and nitroprusside), but cAMP-associated relaxations to isoproterenol and papaverine were not altered. The inhibitory effects of DETCA against the relaxation to nitroprusside and nitroglycerin were attenuated by severe hypoxia. DETCA treatment of isolated coronary arterial smooth muscle or cultured endothelial cells produced an increase of chemiluminescence elicited in the presence of lucigenin, a detector of superoxide anion generation. The addition of SOD markedly attenuated the effects of DETCA treatment on arterial relaxation and chemiluminescence. Therefore, control of cellular superoxide anion levels by endogenous SOD appears needed for the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle to nitrovasodilators mediated via cGMP in the bovine coronary artery, but SOD is not critical for other endothelium-dependent or cAMP-associated relaxant mechanisms.

O2 and rat pulmonary artery tone: effects of endothelium, Ca2+, cyanide, and monocrotaline

The present study examines the influence of the endothelium (E), Ca2+ concentration, cyanide and monocrotaline (MCT) pretreatment on the responses of isolated rat hilar pulmonary arterial rings (PA) to hypoxia. In PA precontracted with phenylephrine, hypoxia induced an initial E-dependent relaxation phase followed by an E-independent transient contraction and a final relaxation. An increase in Ca2+ concentration from 1.5 to 2.5 mM produced an E-dependent reduction in tone generation under O2 and a significant enhancement of the hypoxia-elicited initial relaxation and the transient contractile responses. Addition of cyanide (0.1 mM) to precontracted PA produced a transient contraction similar to that caused by hypoxia. Preincubation with cyanide led to inhibition of tone generation and abolition of the contraction to hypoxia. However, the final relaxation response to hypoxia was not inhibited by cyanide. Thus, hypoxia produces an E-independent contraction via a mechanism that appears also to be activated by cyanide, and this response is not altered by MCT. The endothelium alters the response to hypoxia in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner.

Interactions of oxidant stress and vascular reactivity

Oxidants have complex effects on pulmonary vascular reactivity. They can stimulate production of vasoconstrictor arachidonate mediators and can also cause vasodilation through activation of guanylate cyclase. Oxidants can also inactivate vasomotor phenomenon by interfering with mechanisms of signal transduction or smooth muscle contraction. The final physiological response depends on the balance of these complex actions.

H2O2 and cGMP may function as an O2 sensor in the pulmonary artery

The effects of O2 tension on force in precontracted isolated pulmonary arterial smooth muscle from calf lungs was characterized to investigate the mechanism of O2 tension sensing. These arteries display a decrease in force with increasing O2 tension that is antagonized via inhibition of soluble guanylate cyclase activation by 10 microM methylene blue or inactivation of catalase by pretreatment with 50 mM 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole for 30 min. O2 tension-dependent relaxation is associated with an increase in intracellular H2O2 metabolism through catalase (detected as the peroxide-dependent inactivation of tissue catalase activity by aminotriazole) and cyclic guanosine 5'-monophosphate (cGMP), known mediators of relaxation in calf pulmonary arteries. Thus a recently reconstructed mechanism of activation of soluble guanylate cyclase involving the metabolism of H2O2 by catalase appears to function as an O2 tension sensor in pulmonary arteries.