Coordinated regulation of endothelial calcium signaling and shear stress-induced nitric oxide production by PKCβ and PKCη

BACKGROUND

Protein Kinase C (PKC) is a promiscuous serine/threonine kinase regulating vasodilatory responses in vascular endothelial cells. Calcium-dependent PKCbeta (PKCβ) and calcium-independent PKCeta (PKCη) have both been implicated in the regulation and dysfunction of endothelial responses to shear stress and agonists.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that PKCβ and PKCη differentially modulate shear stress-induced nitric oxide (NO) production by regulating the transduced calcium signals and the resultant eNOS activation. As such, this study sought to characterize the contribution of PKCη and PKCβ in regulating calcium signaling and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activation after exposure of endothelial cells to ATP or shear stress.

METHODS

Bovine aortic endothelial cells were stimulated in vitro under pharmacological inhibition of PKCβ with LY333531 or PKCη targeting with a pseudosubstrate inhibitor. The participation of PKC isozymes in calcium flux, eNOS phosphorylation and NO production was assessed following stimulation with ATP or shear stress.

RESULTS

PKCη proved to be a robust regulator of agonist- and shear stress-induced eNOS activation, modulating calcium fluxes and tuning eNOS activity by multi-site phosphorylation. PKCβ showed modest influence in this pathway, promoting eNOS activation basally and in response to shear stress. Both PKC isozymes contributed to the constitutive and induced phosphorylation of eNOS. The observed PKC signaling architecture is intricate, recruiting Src to mediate a portion of PKCη's control on calcium entry and eNOS phosphorylation. Elucidation of the importance of PKCη in this pathway was tempered by evidence of a single stimulus producing concurrent phosphorylation at ser1179 and thr497 which are antagonistic to eNOS activity.

CONCLUSIONS

We have, for the first time, shown in a single species in vitro that shear stress- and ATP-stimulated NO production are differentially regulated by classical and novel PKCs. This study furthers our understanding of the PKC isozyme interplay that optimizes NO production. These considerations will inform the ongoing design of drugs for the treatment of PKC-sensitive cardiovascular pathologies.

Effect of spatial heterogeneity and colocalization of eNOS and capacitative calcium entry channels on shear stress-induced NO production by endothelial cells: A modeling approach

Introduction

Colocalization of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and capacitative Ca²⁺ entry (CCE) channels in microdomains such as cavaeolae in endothelial cells (ECs) has been shown to significantly affect intracellular Ca²⁺ dynamics and NO production, but the effect has not been well quantified.

Methods

We developed a two-dimensional continuum model of an EC integrating shear stress-mediated ATP production, intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization, and eNOS activation to investigate the effects of spatial colocalization of plasma membrane eNOS and CCE channels on Ca²⁺ dynamics and NO production in response to flow-induced shear stress. Our model examines the hypothesis that subcellular colocalization of cellular components can be critical for optimal coupling of NO production to blood flow.

Results

Our simulations predict that heterogeneity of CCE can result in formation of microdomains with significantly higher Ca²⁺ compared to the average cytosolic Ca²⁺. Ca²⁺ buffers with lower or no mobility further enhanced Ca²⁺ gradients relative to mobile buffers. Colocalization of eNOS to CCE channels significantly increased NO production.

Conclusions

Our results provide quantitative understanding for the role of spatial heterogeneity and the compartmentalization of signals in regulation of shear stress-induced NO production.

A dynamic computational network model for the role of nitric oxide and the myogenic response in microvascular flow regulation

OBJECTIVES

The effect of NO on smooth muscle cell contractility is crucial in regulating vascular tone, blood flow, and O₂ delivery. Quantitative predictions for interactions between the NO production rate and the myogenic response for microcirculatory blood vessels are lacking.

METHODS

We developed a computational model of a branching microcirculatory network with four representative classes of resistance vessels to predict the effect of endothelium-derived NO on the microvascular pressure-flow response. Our model links vessel scale biotransport simulations of NO and O₂ delivery to a mechanistic model of autoregulation and myogenic tone in a simplified microcirculatory network.

RESULTS

The model predicts that smooth muscle cell NO bioavailability significantly contributes to resting vascular tone of resistance vessels. Deficiencies in NO seen during hypoxia or ischemia lead to a decreased vessel diameter for all classes at a given intravascular pressure. At the network level, NO deficiencies lead to an increase in pressure drop across the vessels studied, a downward shift in the pressure-flow curve, and a decrease in the effective range of the autoregulatory response.

CONCLUSIONS

Our model predicts the steady state and transient behavior of resistance vessels to perturbations in blood pressure, including effects of NO bioavailability on vascular regulation.

Nitrite-Mediated Hypoxic Vasodilation Predicted from Mathematical Modeling and Quantified from in Vivo Studies in Rat Mesentery

Nitric oxide (NO) generated from nitrite through nitrite reductase activity in red blood cells has been proposed to play a major role in hypoxic vasodilation. However, we have previously predicted from mathematical modeling that much more NO can be derived from tissue nitrite reductase activity than from red blood cell nitrite reductase activity. Evidence in the literature suggests that tissue nitrite reductase activity is associated with xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) and/or aldehyde oxidoreductase (AOR). We investigated the role of XOR and AOR in nitrite-mediated vasodilation from computer simulations and from in vivo exteriorized rat mesentery experiments. Vasodilation responses to nitrite in the superfusion medium bathing the mesentery equilibrated with 5% O₂ (normoxia) or zero O₂ (hypoxia) at either normal or acidic pH were quantified. Experiments were also conducted following intraperitoneal (IP) injection of nitrite before and after inhibiting XOR with allopurinol or inhibiting AOR with raloxifene. Computer simulations for NO and O₂ transport using reaction parameters reported in the literature were also conducted to predict nitrite-dependent NO production from XOR and AOR activity as a function of nitrite concentration, PO₂ and pH. Experimentally, the largest arteriolar responses were found with nitrite >10 mM in the superfusate, but no statistically significant differences were found with hypoxic and acidic conditions in the superfusate. Nitrite-mediated vasodilation with IP nitrite injections was reduced or abolished after inhibiting XOR with allopurinol (p < 0.001). Responses to IP nitrite before and after inhibiting AOR with raloxifene were not as consistent. Our mathematical model predicts that under certain conditions, XOR and AOR nitrite reductase activity in tissue can significantly elevate smooth muscle cell NO and can serve as a compensatory pathway when endothelial NO production is limited by hypoxic conditions. Our theoretical and experimental results provide further evidence for a role of tissue nitrite reductases to contribute additional NO to compensate for reduced NO production by endothelial nitric oxide synthase during hypoxia. Our mathematical model demonstrates that under extreme hypoxic conditions with acidic pH, endogenous nitrite levels alone can be sufficient for a functionally significant increase in NO bioavailability. However, these conditions are difficult to achieve experimentally.

Nitric oxide release by deoxymyoglobin nitrite reduction during cardiac ischemia: A mathematical model

Interactions between cardiac myoglobin (Mb), nitrite, and nitric oxide (NO) are vital in regulating O₂ storage, transport, and NO homeostasis. Production of NO through the reduction of endogenous myocardial nitrite by deoxygenated myoglobin has been shown to significantly reduce myocardial infarction damage and ischemic injury. We developed a mathematical model for a cardiac arteriole and surrounding myocardium to examine the hypothesis that myoglobin switches functions from being a strong NO scavenger to an NO producer via the deoxymyoglobin nitrite reductase pathway. Our results predict that under ischemic conditions of flow, blood oxygen level, and tissue pH, deoxyMb nitrite reduction significantly elevates tissue and smooth muscle cell NO. The size of the effect is consistent at different flow rates, increases with decreasing blood oxygen and tissue pH and, in extreme pathophysiological conditions, NO can even be elevated above the normoxic levels. Our simulations suggest that cardiac deoxyMb nitrite reduction is a plausible mechanism for preserving or enhancing NO levels using endogenous nitrite despite the rate-limiting O₂ levels for endothelial NO production. This NO could then be responsible for mitigating deleterious effects under ischemic conditions.

A mathematical model for the role of N2O3 in enhancing nitric oxide bioavailability following nitrite infusion

Nitrite infusion into the bloodstream has been shown to elicit vasodilation and protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury through nitric oxide (NO) release in hypoxic conditions. However, the mechanism by which nitrite-derived NO escapes scavenging by hemoglobin in the erythrocyte has not been fully elucidated, owing in part to the difficulty in measuring the reactions and transport on NO in vivo. We developed a mathematical model for an arteriole and surrounding tissue to examine the hypothesis that dinitrogen trioxide (N2O3) acts as a stable intermediate for preserving NO. Our simulations predict that with hypoxia and moderate nitrite concentrations, the N2O3 pathway can significantly preserve the NO produced by hemoglobin nitrite reductase in the erythrocyte and elevate NO reaching the smooth muscle cells. Nitrite retains its ability to increase NO bioavailability even at varying flow conditions, but there is minimal effect under normoxia or very low nitrite concentrations. Our model demonstrates a viable pathway for reconciling experimental findings of potentially beneficial effects of nitrite infusions despite previous models showing negligible NO elevation associated with hemoglobin nitrite reductase. Our results suggest that additional mechanisms may be needed to explain the efficacy of nitrite-induced vasodilation at low infusion concentrations.

Cholesterol Enrichment Impairs Capacitative Calcium Entry, eNOS Phosphorylation & Shear Stress-Induced NO Production

Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by decreased production or availability of nitric oxide (NO), is widely believed to be the hallmark of early-stage atherosclerosis. In addition, hypercholesterolemia is considered a major risk factor for development of atherosclerosis and is associated with impaired flow-induced dilation. However, the mechanism by which elevated cholesterol levels leads to decreased production of NO is unclear. NO is released in response to shear stress and agonist-evoked changes in intracellular calcium. Although calcium signaling is complex, we have previously shown that NO production by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is preferentially activated by calcium influx via store-operated channels. We hypothesized that cholesterol enrichment altered this signaling pathway (known as capacitive calcium entry; CCE) ultimately leading to decreased NO. Our results show that cholesterol enrichment abolished ATP-induced eNOS phosphorylation and attenuated the calcium response by the preferential inhibition of CCE. Furthermore, cholesterol enrichment also inhibited shear stress-induced NO production and eNOS phosporylation, consistent with our previous results showing a significant role for ATP autocrine stimulation and subsequent activation of CCE in the endothelial flow response.

Mathematical model for shear stress dependent NO and adenine nucleotide production from endothelial cells

We developed a mass transport model for a parallel-plate flow chamber apparatus to predict the concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and adenine nucleotides (ATP, ADP) produced by cultured endothelial cells (ECs) and investigated how the net rates of production, degradation, and mass transport for these three chemical species vary with changes in wall shear stress (τw). These simulations provide an improved understanding of experimental results obtained with parallel-plate flow chambers and allows quantitative analysis of the relationship between τw, adenine nucleotide concentrations, and NO produced by ECs. Experimental data obtained after altering ATP and ADP concentrations with apyrase were analyzed to quantify changes in the rate of NO production (RNO). The effects of different isoforms of apyrase on ATP and ADP concentrations and nucleotide-dependent changes in RNO could be predicted with the model. A decrease in ATP was predicted with apyrase, but an increase in ADP was simulated due to degradation of ATP. We found that a simple proportional relationship relating a component of RNO to the sum of ATP and ADP provided a close match to the fitted curve for experimentally measured changes in RNO with apyrase. Estimates for the proportionality constant ranged from 0.0067 to 0.0321 μM/s increase in RNO per nM nucleotide concentration, depending on which isoform of apyrase was modeled, with the largest effect of nucleotides on RNO at low τw (<6 dyn/cm(2)).

Shear stress-induced NO production is dependent on ATP autocrine signaling and capacitative calcium entry

Flow-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial cells plays a fundamental role in vascular homeostasis. However, the mechanisms by which shear stress activates NO production remain unclear due in part to limitations in measuring NO, especially under flow conditions. Shear stress elicits the release of ATP, but the relative contribution of autocrine stimulation by ATP to flow-induced NO production has not been established. Furthermore, the importance of calcium in shear stress-induced NO production remains controversial, and in particular the role of capacitive calcium entry (CCE) has yet to be determined. We have utilized our unique NO measurement device to investigate the role of ATP autocrine signaling and CCE in shear stress-induced NO production. We found that endogenously released ATP and downstream activation of purinergic receptors and CCE plays a significant role in shear stress-induced NO production. ATP-induced eNOS phophorylation under static conditions is also dependent on CCE. Inhibition of protein kinase C significantly inhibited eNOS phosphorylation and the calcium response. To our knowledge, we are the first to report on the role of CCE in the mechanism of acute shear stress-induced NO response. In addition, our work highlights the importance of ATP autocrine signaling in shear stress-induced NO production.

Mechanotransduction drives post ischemic revascularization through K(ATP) channel closure and production of reactive oxygen species

AIMS

We reported earlier that ischemia results in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the closure of a K(ATP) channel which causes membrane depolarization and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) activation. This study was undertaken to understand the role of ischemia-mediated ROS in signaling.

RESULTS

Angiogenic potential of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC) was studied in vitro and in the hind limb in vivo. Flow adapted PMVEC injected into a Matrigel matrix showed significantly higher tube formation than cells grown under static conditions or cells from mice with knockout of K(ATP) channels or the NOX2. Blocking of hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) accumulation completely abrogated the tube formation in wild-type (WT) PMVEC. With ischemia in vivo (femoral artery ligation), revascularization was high in WT mice and was significantly decreased in mice with knockout of K(ATP) channel and in mice orally fed with a K(ATP) channel agonist. In transgenic mice with endothelial-specific NOX2 expression, the revascularization observed was intermediate between that of WT and knockout of K(ATP) channel or NOX2. Increased HIF-1α activation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was observed in ischemic tissue of WT mice but not in K(ATP) channel and NOX2 null mice. Revascularization could be partially rescued in K(ATP) channel null mice by delivering VEGF into the hind limb.

INNOVATION

This is the first report of a mechanosensitive ion channel (K(ATP) channel) initiating endothelial signaling that drives revascularization.

CONCLUSION

The K(ATP) channel responds to the stop of flow and activates signals for revascularization to restore the impeded blood flow.

Nitric-oxide synthase-2 linkage to focal adhesion kinase in neutrophils influences enzyme activity and β2 integrin function

This investigation was to elucidate the basis for augmentation of nitric-oxide synthesis in neutrophils exposed to hyperbaric oxygen. Hyperoxia increases synthesis of reactive species leading to S-nitrosylation of β-actin, which causes temporary inhibition of β(2) integrin adherence. Impaired β(2) integrin function and actin S-nitrosylation do not occur in neutrophils from mice lacking type-2 nitric-oxide synthase (iNOS) or when incubated with 1400W, an iNOS inhibitor. Similarly, effects of hyperoxia were abrogated in cells depleted of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) by treatment with small inhibitory RNA and those exposed to a specific FAK inhibitor concurrent with hyperoxia. Nitric oxide production doubles within 10 min exposure to hyperoxia but declines to approximately half-maximum production over an additional 10 min. Elevated nitric oxide production did not occur after FAK depletion or inhibition, or when filamentous actin formation was inhibited by cytochalasin D. Intracellular content of iNOS triples over the course of a 45-min exposure to hyperoxia and iNOS dimers increase in a commensurate fashion. Confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation demonstrated that co-localization/linkage of FAK, iNOS, and filamentous actin increased within 15 min exposure to hyperoxia but then decreased below the control level. Using isolated enzymes in ex vivo preparations an association between iNOS and filamentous actin mediated by FAK could be demonstrated and complex formation was impeded when actin was S-nitrosylated. We conclude that iNOS activity is increased by an FAK-mediated association with actin filaments but peak nitric oxide production is transient due to actin S-nitrosylation during exposure to hyperoxia.

Intramicroparticle nitrogen dioxide is a bubble nucleation site leading to decompression-induced neutrophil activation and vascular injury

Inert gases diffuse into tissues in proportion to ambient pressure, and when pressure is reduced, gas efflux forms bubbles due to the presence of gas cavitation nuclei that are predicted based on theory but have never been characterized. Decompression stress triggers elevations in number and diameter of circulating annexin V-coated microparticles (MPs) derived from vascular cells. Here we show that ∼10% MPs from wild-type (WT) but not inflammatory nitric oxide synthase-2 (iNOS) knockout (KO) mice increase in size when exposed to elevated air pressure ex vivo. This response is abrogated by a preceding exposure to hydrostatic pressure, demonstrating the presence of a preformed gas phase. These MPs have lower density than most particles, 10-fold enrichment in iNOS, and generate commensurately more reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Surprisingly, RNS only slowly diffuse from within MPs unless particles are subjected to osmotic stress or membrane cholesterol is removed. WT mice treated with iNOS inhibitor and KO mice exhibit less decompression-induced neutrophil activation and vascular leak. Contrary to injecting naïve mice with MPs from wild-type decompressed mice, injecting KO MPs triggers fewer proinflammatory events. We conclude that nitrogen dioxide is a nascent gas nucleation site synthesized in some MPs and is responsible for initiating postdecompression inflammatory injuries.

Heterogeneous cytoplasmic calcium response in microvascular endothelial cells

We investigated changes in calcium concentration in response to the administration of ATP and the onset of shear stress with cultured rat adrenomedulary endothelial cells (RAMECs, microvascular). A substantial heterogeneity in time and space in the calcium response was observed. The onset of shear stress induced calcium waves that originated from one or several cells and propagated to neighboring cells The application of uniform exogenous ATP produced similar heterogeneous calcium transients. The size of the responding groups was dependent on ATP concentration. The propagation of calcium waves induced by either ATP or shear stress challenge was significantly suppressed by suramin, a non-specific purinergic receptor blocker. We investigated some of the mechanisms leading to the heterogeneity, and the results indicated that the main source of variation is the heterogeneous distribution of purinergic receptor. The application of ATP or shear stress stimulates cells to release ATP causing an increase of [Ca²⁺]<inf>i</inf>via purinergic receptor in the cells that have high sensitivity. Subsequently, additional ATP is released and the elevation of ATP concentration in the vicinity of the initially responding cells mediates the calcium propagation. These data suggest a mechanism by which ATP acts as an autocrine and paracrine mediator to integrate individual cell responses that result in coordination of vascular functions in situ.

Nitric oxide signaling in the microcirculation

Several apparent paradoxes are evident when one compares mathematical predictions from models of nitric oxide (NO) diffusion and convection in vasculature structures with experimental measurements of NO (or related metabolites) in animal and human studies. Values for NO predicted from mathematical models are generally much lower than in vivo NO values reported in the literature for experiments, specifically with NO microelectrodes positioned at perivascular locations next to different sizes of blood vessels in the microcirculation and NO electrodes inserted into a wide range of tissues supplied by the microcirculation of each specific organ system under investigation. There continues to be uncertainty about the roles of NO scavenging by hemoglobin versus a storage function that may conserve NO, and other signaling targets for NO need to be considered. This review describes model predictions and relevant experimental data with respect to several signaling pathways in the microcirculation that involve NO.

Modeling O₂-dependent effects of nitrite reductase activity in blood and tissue on coupled NO and O₂ transport around arterioles

Recent evidence in the literature suggests that tissues play a greater role than blood in reducing nitrite to NO under ischemic or hypoxic conditions. Our previous mathematical model for coupled NO and O(2) transport around an arteriole, modified to include superoxide generation from dysfunctional endothelium, was developed further to include nitrite reductase activity in blood and tissue. Steady-state radial and axial NO and pO(2) profiles in the arteriole and surrounding tissue were simulated for different blood flow rates and arterial blood pO(2) values. The resulting computer simulations demonstrate that nitrite reductase activity in blood is not a very effective mechanism for conserving NO due to the strong scavenging of NO by hemoglobin. In contrast, nitrite reductase activity in tissue is much more effective in increasing NO bioavailability in the vascular wall and contributes progressively more NO as tissue hypoxia becomes more severe.

Direct, real-time measurement of shear stress-induced nitric oxide produced from endothelial cells in vitro

Nitric oxide (NO) produced by the endothelium is involved in the regulation of vascular tone. Decreased NO production or availability has been linked to endothelial dysfunction in hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. Shear stress-induced NO release is a well-established phenomenon, yet the cellular mechanisms of this response are not completely understood. Experimental limitations have hindered direct, real-time measurements of NO under flow conditions. We have overcome these challenges with a new design for a parallel-plate flow chamber. The chamber consists of two compartments, separated by a Transwell® membrane, which isolates a NO recording electrode located in the upper compartment from flow effects. Endothelial cells are grown on the bottom of the membrane, which is inserted into the chamber flush with the upper plate. We demonstrate for the first time direct real-time NO measurements from endothelial cells with controlled variations in shear stress. Step changes in shear stress from 0.1 dyn/cm(2) to 6, 10, or 20 dyn/cm(2) elicited a transient decrease in NO followed by an increase to a new steady state. An analysis of NO transport suggests that the initial decrease is due to the increased removal rate by convection as flow increases. Furthermore, the rate at which the NO concentration approaches the new steady state is related to the time-dependent cellular response rather than transport limitations of the measurement configuration. Our design offers a method for studying the kinetics of the signaling mechanisms linking NO production with shear stress as well as pathological conditions involving changes in NO production or availability.

Mathematical modeling of the interaction between oxygen, nitric oxide and superoxide

Computer simulations were performed based on a multiple chemical species convection-diffusion model with coupled biochemical reactions for oxygen (O2), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide (O2*-), peroxynitrite (ONOO-), nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-) in cylindrical geometry with blood flow through a 30 microm diameter arteriole. Steady state concentration gradients of all chemical species were predicted for different O2*- production rates, superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations, and blood flow rates. Effects of additional O2*- production from dysfunctional endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were also simulated. The model predicts that convection is essential for characterizing O2 partial pressure gradients (PO2) in the bloodstream and surrounding tissue, but has little direct effect on NO gradients in blood and tissue.

Tumoricidal activity of high-dose tumor necrosis factor-alpha is mediated by macrophage-derived nitric oxide burst and permanent blood flow shutdown

This study investigates the role of tumor nitric oxide (NO) and vascular regulation in tumor ulceration following high-dose tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) treatment. Using TNF-responsive (MethA) and nonresponsive (LL2) mouse tumors, tumor NO concentration was measured with an electrochemical sensor and tumor blood flow by Doppler ultrasound. Mice were also pretreated with a selective inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibitor, 1400 W. Tumors harvested from TNF-treated mice were cryosectioned and immunostained for murine macrophages, or/and iNOS. MethA tumor-bearing mice were depleted of macrophages. Pre- and post-TNF tumor NO levels were measured continuously, and mice were followed for gross tumor response. In MethA tumors, TNF caused a 96% response rate, and tumor NO concentration doubled. Tumor blood flow decreased to 3% of baseline by 4 hr and was sustained at 24 hr and 10 days post-TNF. Selective NO inhibition with 1400 W blocked NO rise and decreased response rate to 38%. MethA tumors showed tumor infiltration by macrophages post-TNF and the pattern of macrophage immunostaining overlapped with iNOS immunostaining. Depletion of macrophages inhibited tumor NO increase and response to TNF. LL2 tumors had a 0% response rate to TNF and exhibited no change in NO concentration. Blood flow decreased to 2% of baseline by 4 hr, recovered to 56% by 24 hr and increased to 232% by 10 days. LL2 tumors showed no infiltration by macrophages post-TNF. We conclude that TNF causes tumor infiltrating, macrophage-derived iNOS-mediated tumor NO rise and sustained tumor blood flow shutdown, resulting in tumor ulceration in the responsive tumor.

Tonic and stimulus-evoked nitric oxide production in the mouse olfactory bulb

Nitric oxide (NO) has been long assumed to play a key role in mammalian olfaction. This was based largely on circumstantial evidence, i.e. prominent staining for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and cyclic guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) or soluble guanylyl cyclase, an effector enzyme activated by NO, in local interneurons of the olfactory bulb. Here we employ innovative custom-fabricated NO micro-sensors to obtain the first direct, time-resolved measurements of NO signaling in the olfactory bulb. In 400 microm thick mouse olfactory bulb slices, we detected a steady average basal level of 87 nM NO in the extracellular space of mitral or granule cell layers. This NO 'tone' was sensitive to NOS substrate manipulation (200 microM L-arginine, 2 mM N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) and Mg(2+) modulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor conductance. Electrical stimulation of olfactory nerve fibers evoked transient (peak at 10 s) increments in NO levels 90-100 nM above baseline. In the anesthetized mouse, NO micro-sensors inserted into the granule cell layer detected NO transients averaging 55 nM in amplitude and peaking at 3.4 s after onset of a 5 s odorant stimulation. These findings suggest dual roles for NO signaling in the olfactory bulb: tonic inhibitory control of principal neurons, and regulation of circuit dynamics during odor information processing.

Transport-dependent calcium signaling in spatially segregated cellular caveolar domains

We developed a two-dimensional model of transport-dependent intracellular calcium signaling in endothelial cells (ECs). Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of spatial colocalization of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and capacitative calcium entry (CCE) channels in caveolae on eNOS activation in response to ATP. Caveolae are specialized microdomains of the plasma membrane that contain a variety of signaling molecules to optimize their interactions and regulate their activity. In ECs, these molecules include CCE channels and eNOS. To achieve a quantitative understanding of the mechanisms of microdomain calcium signaling and the preferential sensitivity of eNOS to calcium entering the cell through CCE channels, we constructed a mathematical model incorporating the cell morphology and cellular physiological processes. The model predicts that the spatial segregation of calcium channels in ECs can create transport-dependent sharp gradients in calcium concentration within the cell. The calcium concentration gradient is affected by channel density and cell geometry. This transport-dependent calcium signaling specificity effect is enhanced in ECs by increasing the spatial segregation of the caveolar signaling domains. Our simulation significantly advances the understanding of how Ca2+, despite its many potential actions, can mediate selective activation of signaling pathways. We show that diffusion-limited calcium transport allows functional compartmentalization of signaling pathways based on the spatial arrangements of Ca2+ sources and targets.

Nitric oxide regulation of microvascular oxygen

The role of nitric oxide (NO) as a highly diffusible free radical gaseous vasodilator is intrinsically linked to the control of blood flow and oxygen (O(2)) delivery to tissue. NO also is involved in regulating mitochondrial O(2) metabolism, growth of new blood vessels, and blood oxygenation through control of respiratory ventilation. Hemoglobin and myoglobin may help to conserve NO for subsequent release of a NO-related vasoactive species under hypoxic conditions. NO has a major role in regulating microvascular O(2), and dysfunctional NO signaling is associated with the pathogenesis of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Diabetic impairments in NO-mediated endothelial progenitor cell mobilization and homing are reversed by hyperoxia and SDF-1 alpha

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are essential in vasculogenesis and wound healing, but their circulating and wound level numbers are decreased in diabetes. This study aimed to determine mechanisms responsible for the diabetic defect in circulating and wound EPCs. Since mobilization of BM EPCs occurs via eNOS activation, we hypothesized that eNOS activation is impaired in diabetes, which results in reduced EPC mobilization. Since hyperoxia activates NOS in other tissues, we investigated whether hyperoxia restores EPC mobilization in diabetic mice through BM NOS activation. Additionally, we studied the hypothesis that impaired EPC homing in diabetes is due to decreased wound level stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha), a chemokine that mediates EPC recruitment in ischemia. Diabetic mice showed impaired phosphorylation of BM eNOS, decreased circulating EPCs, and diminished SDF-1alpha expression in cutaneous wounds. Hyperoxia increased BM NO and circulating EPCs, effects inhibited by the NOS inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester. Administration of SDF-1alpha into wounds reversed the EPC homing impairment and, with hyperoxia, synergistically enhanced EPC mobilization, homing, and wound healing. Thus, hyperoxia reversed the diabetic defect in EPC mobilization, and SDF-1alpha reversed the diabetic defect in EPC homing. The targets identified, which we believe to be novel, can significantly advance the field of diabetic wound healing.

Glucose-induced release of nitric oxide from mouse pancreatic islets as detected with nitric oxide-selective glass microelectrodes

Nitric oxide (NO) is believed to play an important role in pancreatic islet physiology and pathophysiology. Research in this area has been hampered, however, by the use of indirect methods to measure islet NO. To investigate the role of NO in islet function, we positioned NO-sensitive, recessed-tip microelectrodes in close proximity to individual islets and monitored oxidation current to detect subnanomolar NO in the bath. NO release from islets consisted of a series of rapid bursts lasting several seconds and/or slow oscillations with a period of approximately 100-300 s. Average baseline NO near the islets in 2.8 mM glucose was 524+/-59 nM (n=12). Raising glucose from 2.8 to 11.1 mM augmented NO release by 429+/-133 nM (n=12, P<0.05), an effect blocked by the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME (n=3). We also observed that glucose-stimulated increases in NO release were contemporaneous with changes in NAD(P)H and O2 but occurred well before increases in calcium associated with glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. In summary, we demonstrate that NO release from islets is oscillatory and rapidly augmented by glucose, suggesting that NO release occurs early following an increase in glucose metabolism and may contribute to the stimulated insulin secretion triggered by suprathreshold glucose.

A model of NO/O2 transport in capillary-perfused tissue containing an arteriole and venule pair

The goal of this study was to investigate the complex co-transport of nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen (O2) in a paired arteriole-venule, surrounded by capillary-perfused tissue using a computer model. Blood flow was assumed to be steady in the arteriolar and venular lumens and to obey Darcy's law in the tissue. NO consumption rate was assumed to be constant in the core of the arteriolar and venular lumen and to decrease linearly to the endothelium. Average NO consumption rate by capillary blood in a unit tissue volume was assumed proportional to the blood flux across the volume. Our results predict that: (1) the capillary bed, which connects the arteriole and venule, facilitates the release of O2 from the vessel pair to the surrounding tissue; (2) decreasing the distance between arteriole and venule can result in a higher NO concentration in the venular wall than in the arteriolar wall; (3) in the absence of capillaries in the surrounding tissue, diffusion of NO from venule to arteriole contributes little to NO concentration in the arteriolar wall; and (4) when capillaries are added to the simulation, a significant increase of NO in the arteriolar wall is observed.

Nitric oxide in the kidney; direct measurements of bioavailable renal nitric oxide

Increasing efforts have been directed towards investigating the involvement of nitric oxide (NO) for normal kidney function. Recently, a crucial role of NO in the development of progressive renal dysfunction has been reported during diabetes and hypertension. Indirect estimation of renal NO production include urinary nitrite/nitrate measurements, but there are several disadvantages of indirect methods since production and bioavailability of NO rarely coincide. Thus, direct measurement of in vivo NO bioavailability is preferred, although these methods are more time consuming and require highly specialized equipment and knowledge. This review focuses on two techniques for in vivo measurement of bioavailable NO in the kidney. We have applied Whalen-type recessed NO microsensors for measurement of NO in the kidney cortex, whereas the hemoglobin-trapping technique seems to be more suitable for NO measurement in the renal medulla. Both methods are robust and reliable, and we discuss advantages and shortcomings of each method.

Endothelial Progenitor Cell Release into Circulation Is Triggered by Hyperoxia-Induced Increases in Bone Marrow Nitric Oxide

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are known to contribute to wound healing, but the physiologic triggers for their mobilization are often insufficient to induce complete wound healing in the presence of severe ischemia. EPC trafficking is known to be regulated by hypoxic gradients and induced by vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated increases in bone marrow nitric oxide (NO). Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) enhances wound healing, although the mechanisms for its therapeutic effects are incompletely understood. It is known that HBO increases nitric oxide levels in perivascular tissues via stimulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Here we show that HBO increases bone marrow NO in vivo thereby increasing release of EPC into circulation. These effects are inhibited by pretreatment with the NOS inhibitor l-nitroarginine methyl ester (l-NAME). HBO-mediated mobilization of EPC is associated with increased lower limb spontaneous circulatory recovery after femoral ligation and enhanced closure of ischemic wounds, and these effects on limb perfusion and wound healing are also inhibited by l-NAME pretreatment. These data show that EPC mobilization into circulation is triggered by hyperoxia through induction of bone marrow NO with resulting enhancement in ischemic limb perfusion and wound healing.

The influence of radial RBC distribution, blood velocity profiles, and glycocalyx on coupled NO/O2 transport

The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of the presence of red blood cells (RBCs) in the plasma layer near the arteriole wall on nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen (O2) transport. To this end, we extended a coupled NO and O2 diffusion-reaction model in the arteriole, developed by our group, to include the effect of the presence of RBCs in the plasma layer and the effect of convection. Two blood flow velocity profiles (plug and parabolic) were tested. The average hematocrit in the bloodstream was assumed to be constant in the central core and decreasing to zero in the boundary layer next to the endothelial surface layer. The effect of the presence or absence of RBCs near the endothelium was studied while varying the endothelial surface layer and boundary layer thickness. With RBCs present in the boundary layer, the model predicts that 1) NO decreases significantly in the endothelium and vascular wall; 2) there is a very small increase in endothelial and vascular wall Po2; 3) scavenging of NO by hemoglobin decreases with increasing thickness of the boundary layer; 4) the shape of the velocity profile influences both NO and Po2 gradients in the bloodstream; and 5) the presence of RBCs in the boundary layer near the endothelium has a much larger effect on NO than on O2 transport.

Heterogeneous response of microvascular endothelial cells to shear stress

We investigated changes in calcium concentration in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) and rat adrenomedulary endothelial cells (RAMECs, microvascular) in response to different levels of shear stress. In BAECs, the onset of shear stress elicited a transient increase in intracellular calcium concentration that was spatially uniform, synchronous, and dose dependent. In contrast, the response of RAMECs was heterogeneous in time and space. Shear stress induced calcium waves that originated from one or several cells and propagated to neighboring cells. The number and size of the responding groups of cells did not depend on the magnitude of shear stress or the magnitude of the calcium change in the responding cells. The initiation and the propagation of calcium waves in RAMECs were significantly suppressed under conditions in which either purinergic receptors were blocked by suramin or extracellular ATP was degraded by apyrase. Exogenously applied ATP produced similarly heterogeneous responses. The number of responding cells was dependent on ATP concentration, but the magnitude of the calcium change was not. Our data suggest that shear stress stimulates RAMECs to release ATP, causing the increase in intracellular calcium concentration via purinergic receptors in cells that are heterogeneously sensitive to ATP. The propagation of the calcium signal is also mediated by ATP, and the spatial pattern suggests a locally elevated ATP concentration in the vicinity of the initially responding cells.

Quantifying the L-arginine paradox in vivo

NO and PO(2) microelectrodes were used to quantify the effects of increased availability of L-arginine in an exteriorized rat mesentery and small intestine microcirculatory preparation in n = 16 rats. During short periods of elevated L-arginine added to the superfusion bath, transient changes in perivascular NO or PO(2) were measured at 171 perivascular sites near intestinal arterioles and venules, simultaneously with tissue perfusion using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Excess L-arginine increased perivascular NO over twofold, by 411 +/- 42 nM above the baseline of 329 +/- 30 nM (P < 0.0001), and increased tissue perfusion by 35.5 +/- 7.5% (P < 0.0001). No difference between arterioles and venules was observed in the magnitude or time course of the NO responses. Both increases and decreases in perivascular PO(2) were observed after excess L-arginine, with a similar increase in tissue perfusion by 42.0 +/- 12.3% (P < 0.0001). Our NO measurements confirm that increased bioavailability of L-arginine causes a significant increase in NO production throughout the microcirculation of this preparation, with increased tissue perfusion, and provides direct in vivo evidence for the L-arginine paradox.

Stem cell mobilization by hyperbaric oxygen

We hypothesized that exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO(2)) would mobilize stem/progenitor cells from the bone marrow by a nitric oxide (*NO) -dependent mechanism. The population of CD34(+) cells in the peripheral circulation of humans doubled in response to a single exposure to 2.0 atmospheres absolute (ATA) O(2) for 2 h. Over a course of 20 treatments, circulating CD34(+) cells increased eightfold, although the overall circulating white cell count was not significantly increased. The number of colony-forming cells (CFCs) increased from 16 +/- 2 to 26 +/- 3 CFCs/100,000 monocytes plated. Elevations in CFCs were entirely due to the CD34(+) subpopulation, but increased cell growth only occurred in samples obtained immediately posttreatment. A high proportion of progeny cells express receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor-2 and for stromal-derived growth factor. In mice, HBO(2) increased circulating stem cell factor by 50%, increased the number of circulating cells expressing stem cell antigen-1 and CD34 by 3.4-fold, and doubled the number of CFCs. Bone marrow *NO concentration increased by 1,008 +/- 255 nM in association with HBO(2). Stem cell mobilization did not occur in knockout mice lacking genes for endothelial *NO synthase. Moreover, pretreatment of wild-type mice with a *NO synthase inhibitor prevented the HBO(2)-induced elevation in stem cell factor and circulating stem cells. We conclude that HBO(2) mobilizes stem/progenitor cells by stimulating *NO synthesis.

Reduced nitric oxide concentration in the renal cortex of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: effects on renal oxygenation and microcirculation

Nitric oxide (NO) regulates vascular tone and mitochondrial respiration. We investigated the hypothesis that there is reduced NO concentration in the renal cortex of diabetic rats that mediates reduced renal cortical blood perfusion and oxygen tension (P O2). Streptozotocin-induced diabetic and control rats were injected with l-arginine followed by Nomega-nitro-L-arginine-metyl-ester (L-NAME). NO and P O2 were measured using microsensors, and local blood flow was recorded by laser-Doppler flowmetry. Plasma arginine and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. L-Arginine increased cortical NO concentrations more in diabetic animals, whereas changes in blood flow were similar. Cortical P O2 was unaffected by L-arginine in both groups. L-NAME decreased NO in control animals by 87 +/- 15 nmol/l compared with 45 +/- 7 nmol/l in diabetic animals. L-NAME decreased blood perfusion more in diabetic animals, but it only affected P O2 in control animals. Plasma arginine was significantly lower in diabetic animals (79.7 +/- 6.7 vs. 127.9 +/- 3.9 mmol/l), whereas ADMA was unchanged. A larger increase in renal cortical NO concentration after l-arginine injection, a smaller decrease in NO after L-NAME, and reduced plasma arginine suggest substrate limitation for NO formation in the renal cortex of diabetic animals. This demonstrates a new mechanism for diabetes-induced alteration in renal oxygen metabolism and local blood flow regulation.

NO mediates mural cell recruitment and vessel morphogenesis in murine melanomas and tissue-engineered blood vessels

NO has been shown to mediate angiogenesis; however, its role in vessel morphogenesis and maturation is not known. Using intravital microscopy, histological analysis, alpha-smooth muscle actin and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 staining, microsensor NO measurements, and an NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor, we found that NO mediates mural cell coverage as well as vessel branching and longitudinal extension but not the circumferential growth of blood vessels in B16 murine melanomas. NO-sensitive fluorescent probe 4,5-diaminofluorescein imaging, NOS immunostaining, and the use of NOS-deficient mice revealed that eNOS in vascular endothelial cells is the predominant source of NO and induces these effects. To further dissect the role of NO in mural cell recruitment and vascular morphogenesis, we performed a series of independent analyses. Transwell and under-agarose migration assays demonstrated that endothelial cell-derived NO induces directional migration of mural cell precursors toward endothelial cells. An in vivo tissue-engineered blood vessel model revealed that NO mediates endothelial-mural cell interaction prior to vessel perfusion and also induces recruitment of mural cells to angiogenic vessels, vessel branching, and longitudinal extension and subsequent stabilization of the vessels. These data indicate that endothelial cell-derived NO induces mural cell recruitment as well as subsequent morphogenesis and stabilization of angiogenic vessels.

Elevated plasma viscosity in extreme hemodilution increases perivascular nitric oxide concentration and microvascular perfusion

We tested the hypothesis that high-viscosity (HV) plasma in extreme hemodilution causes wall shear stress to be greater than low-viscosity (LV) plasma, leading to enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO). The perivascular concentration of NO was measured in arterioles and venules and the tissue of the hamster chamber window model, subjected to acute extreme hemodilution, with a hematocrit (Hct) of 11% using Dextran 500 ( n = 6) or Dextran 70 ( n = 5) with final plasma viscosities of 1.99 ± 0.11 and 1.33 ± 0.04 cp, respectively. HV plasma significantly increased the periarteriolar, perivenular, and tissue NO concentration by 2.0, 1.9, and 1.4 times the control ( n = 7). The NO concentration with LV plasma was not statistically different from control. Arteriolar shear stress was significantly increased in HV plasma relative to LV plasma in arterioles but not in venules. Aortic endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protein expression was increased with HV plasma but not with LV plasma. There was a weak correlation between perivascular NO concentration and the locally calculated shear stress induced by the procedures, when blood viscosity was corrected according to Hct values previously determined in studies of microvascular Hct distribution. The finding that the periarteriolar and venular NO concentration in HV plasma was the same although arteriolar shear stress was significantly greater than venular shear stress maybe be due to differences in vessel wall metabolism between arterioles and venules and the presence of NO transport through the blood stream in the microcirculation. Results support the concept that in extreme hemodilution HV plasma maintains functional capillary density through a NO-mediated vasodilatation.

Interactions between NO and O2 in the microcirculation: a mathematical analysis

Biotransport of nitric oxide (NO) and of oxygen (O(2)) in the microcirculation are inherently interdependent, since all nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms (eNOS, nNOS, and iNOS) require O(2) to produce NO. Furthermore, tissue O(2) consumption is reversibly inhibited by NO. To investigate these complex interactions, a mathematical model was developed for coupled mass transport of NO and O(2) around a cylindrical arteriole using finite element computational methods. Steady-state radial NO and O(2) gradients in the bloodstream, plasma layer, endothelium, vascular wall, and surrounding tissue were simulated for different conditions. Special cases of the model were solved, including O(2)-dependent NO production from eNOS alone, and with additional NO production from either nNOS or iNOS at specified locations. The model predicts that (a) concentration changes in one species can have significant effects on transport of the other species with the degree of interaction dependent on spatial gradients; (b) eNOS NO production rates required to maintain the concentration of NO in the vascular wall are more dependent on NO scavenging in blood than in tissue; (c) relatively low rates of NO production in tissue from either nNOS or iNOS can elevate vascular wall NO, compensating for possible reductions in NO production from eNOS; (d) depending on their physical location, nNOS and iNOS can be very sensitive to O(2); and (e) increased tissue NO can increase O(2) delivery to more distal regions by inhibiting O(2) consumption in other regions.

Effects of iron-chelators on ion-channels and HIF-1α in the carotid body

Acute hypoxia instantaneously increases the chemosensory discharge from the carotid body, increasing ventilation mostly by inhibiting the oxygen sensitive ion channels and exciting the mitochondrial functions in the glomus cells. On the other hand, Fe2+-chelation mimics hypoxia by inhibiting the prolyl hydroxylases and the degradation of HIF-1alpha in non-excitable cells. Whether Fe2+-chelation can inhibit the ion channels giving rise to the sensory responses in excitable cells was the question. We characterized the responses to Fe2+-chelators on excitable glomus cells of the rat, and found that they instantaneously blocked the ion-channels, exciting the chemosensory discharge, and later causing a gradual accumulation of HIF-1alpha. Although initiated by the same stimuli, the two effects (on ion channels and cytosolic HIF-1alpha) possibly occurred by two different mechanisms.

Interferon-beta gene therapy improves survival in an immunocompetent mouse model of carcinomatosis

BACKGROUND

Interferon-beta (IFNbeta) has multiple antitumor effects; however, its use has been limited by its short half-life in vivo. This limitation may be overcome by IFNbeta gene therapy. We evaluated adenovirus-IFNbeta therapy in an immunocompetent mouse model of carcinomatosis.

METHODS

Mice that were treated intraperitoneally 5 days after tumor (mouse ovarian teratoma) inoculation with an adenoviral vector that contains the mouse IFNbeta gene (Ad-IFNbeta), control adenoviral vector or saline solution. Mice were monitored for multiple outcome measures and toxicity. To determine the mechanism of antitumor effect, flow cytometry of ascites fluid was performed to differentiate immune cell populations. Nitric oxide in ascites fluid was measured with an electrochemical microsensor.

RESULTS

Tumor burden was decreased and survival was prolonged (P<.001) in the Ad-IFNbeta group after a single treatment of 3.3 x 10(8) plaque-forming units, with acceptable toxicity. By flow cytometry, an increase in the proportion of natural killer cells (from less than 2% of the gated population to more than 8%; P=.024) and an increase in macrophages were seen in the treated animals. Although there was a trend toward increased levels of nitric oxide in Ad-IFNbeta treatment groups, it was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

IFNbeta gene therapy results in decreased tumor burden and improved survival in an aggressive, immunocompetent mouse model of carcinomatosis. This therapy warrants further evaluation as a treatment for disseminated peritoneal cancer.

Neuronal nitric oxide synthase and N-methyl-D-aspartate neurons in experimental carbon monoxide poisoning

We measured changes in nitric oxide (NO) concentration in the cerebral cortex during experimental carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and assessed the role for N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), a glutamate receptor subtype, with progression of CO-mediated oxidative stress. Using microelectrodes, NO concentration was found to nearly double to 280 nM due to CO exposure, and elevations in cerebral blood flow, monitored as laser Doppler flow (LDF), were found to loosely correlate with NO concentration. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity was the cause of the NO elevation based on the effects of specific NOS inhibitors and observations in nNOS knockout mice. Activation of nNOS was inhibited by the NMDARs inhibitor, MK 801, and by the calcium channel blocker, nimodipine, thus demonstrating a link to excitatory amino acids. Cortical cyclic GMP concentration was increased due to CO poisoning and shown to be related to NO, versus CO, mediated guanylate cyclase activation. Elevations of NO were inhibited when rats were infused with superoxide dismutase and in rats depleted of platelets or neutrophils. When injected with MK 801 or 7-nitroindazole, a selective nNOS inhibitor, rats did not exhibit CO-mediated nitrotyrosine formation, myeloperoxidase (MPO) elevation (indicative of neutrophil sequestration), or impaired learning. Similarly, whereas CO-poisoned wild-type mice exhibited elevations in nitrotyrosine and myeloperoxidase, these changes did not occur in nNOS knockout mice. We conclude that CO exposure initiates perivascular processes including oxidative stress that triggers activation of NMDA neuronal nNOS, and these events are necessary for the progression of CO-mediated neuropathology.

Impact of the Fåhraeus Effect on NO and O2Biotransport: A Computer Model

Nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen (O2) transport in the microcirculation are coupled in a complex manner, since enzymatic production of NO depends on O2 availability, NO modulates vascular tone and O2 delivery, and tissue O2 consumption is reversibly inhibited by NO. The authors investigated whether NO bioavailability is influenced by the well-known Fåhraeus effect, which has been observed for over 70 years. This phenomenon occurs in small-diameter blood vessels, where the tube hematocrit is reduced below systemic hematocrit as a plasma boundary layer forms near the vascular wall when flowing red blood cells (rbcs) migrate toward the center of the bloodstream. Since hemoglobin in the bloodstream is thought to be the primary scavenger of NO in vivo, this might have a significant impact on NO transport. To investigate this possibility, the authors developed a multilayered mathematical model for mass transport in arterioles using finite element numerical methods to simulate coupled NO and O2 transport in the blood vessel lumen, plasma layer, endothelium, vascular wall, and surrounding tissue. The Fåhraeus effect was modeled by varying plasma layer thickness while increasing core hematocrit based on conservation of mass. Key findings from this study are that (1) despite an increase in the NO scavenging rate in the core with higher hematocrit, the model predicts enhanced vascular wall and tissue NO bioavailability due to the relatively greater resistance for NO diffusion through the plasma layer; (2) increasing the plasma layer thickness also increases the resistance for O2 diffusion, causing a larger P(O2) gradient near the vascular wall and decreasing tissue O2 availability, although this can be partially offset with inhibition of O2 consumption by higher tissue NO levels; (3) the Fåhraeus effect can become very significant in smaller blood vessels (diameters <30 microm); and (4) models that ignore the Fåhraeus effect may underestimate NO concentrations in blood and tissue.

Investigating the role of nitric oxide in regulating blood flow and oxygen delivery from in vivo electrochemical measurements in eye and brain

We have previously shown from direct, in vivo measurements of NO in cats with recessed electrochemical microsensors that NO mediates increases in ONH blood flow during functional activation of the eye by flickering light. We have also reported that there are low frequency (< 15 cycles/min) spontaneous oscillations in NO that appear to be passively coupled to oscillations in blood flow at similar frequencies in the cat ONH. In this paper, we describe similarities between in vivo measurements of NO in the ONH of the cat eye and in the cortex of the rat brain. These data are consistent with a role for NO in the coupling of blood flow with increases in neuronal activity, autoregulation of blood flow, hyperemia, and vasodilation during hypoxia and hypercapnia.

An integrated approach to measuring tumor oxygen status using human melanoma xenografts as a model

Tumor oxygen status is a reliable prognostic marker that impacts malignant progression and outcome of tumor therapy. However, tumor oxygenation is heterogeneous and cannot be sufficiently described by a single parameter. It is influenced by several factors including microvessel density (MVD), blood flow (BF), blood volume (BV), blood oxygen saturation, tissue pO(2), oxygen consumption rate, and hypoxic fraction. The goal of this investigation was to integrate these measurements to obtain a comprehensive profile of tumor oxygenation. Platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule immunohistochemistry, the recessed oxygen microelectrode, color and power Doppler ultrasound (DUS), and diffuse light spectroscopy (DLS) were used to measure tumor oxygen status using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-transfected hypervascular human melanoma xenografts and their nontransfected counterparts as a model. NIH1286 human melanoma cells were transfected with a retroviral vector +/- a 720-bp fragment of human VEGF(121). High VEGF-producing clones were selected by ELISA. Oxygen consumption rate was measured in NIH1286/VEGF+ [VEGF-transfected cells (VEGF+ cells)] and NIH1286/Vec cells [cells transfected with vector alone (Vec cells)] using a standard Clark oxygen electrode. Athymic nude 6-8-week-old mice received s.c. injection in the right flank with 5 x 10(6) VEGF+ or Vec cells. When tumors were 10-14 mm in maximum dimension, serum was analyzed for VEGF by ELISA. Cryopreserved tumor tissue sections were immunostained for platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule, and MVD measurements were made. Tumor-bearing mice were anesthetized, and pO(2) measurements were made using Eppendorf pO(2) histograph or the recessed oxygen microelectrode. Tumor BF and BV were measured by quantitative analysis of DUS images. DLS was used to measure tumor BF and blood oxygen saturation variation. VEGF+ cell supernatants had 15,500 pg/ml VEGF, and Vec cells had 10 pg/ml. VEGF+ and Vec cells had equivalent oxygen consumption rates. VEGF+ tumors had a faster growth rate than Vec tumors. Serum from VEGF+ tumor-bearing mice showed 4,211 pg/ml VEGF, whereas VEGF was undetectable in the serum of control mice. MVD values were 74 +/- 11 in VEGF+ tumors and 39 +/- 4 in control tumors at x200 magnification/0.95-mm(2) area. The median pO(2) values were 3.5-fold higher in VEGF+ tumors than in Vec tumors by the recessed oxygen microelectrode and 18-fold higher by Eppendorf pO(2) histograph. DUS showed a 3.3-fold higher mean BF and a 5.5-fold higher BV in VEGF+ tumors than in Vec tumors. DLS showed a 3.2-fold higher mean BF and 1.7-fold higher oxygen saturation in the hypervascular tumors as compared with the control tumor type, consistent with increased BF and BV data by DUS. An integrated approach that yields a comprehensive and consistent profile of oxygen status in tumors could potentially provide critical information for prognosis and treatment.

Modeling the influence of superoxide dismutase on superoxide and nitric oxide interactions, including reversible inhibition of oxygen consumption

A mathematical mass transport model was constructed in cylindrical geometry to follow coupled biochemical reactions and diffusion of oxygen, nitric oxide, superoxide, peroxynitrite, hydrogen peroxide, nitrite, and nitrate around a blood vessel. Computer simulations were performed for a 50 microm internal diameter arteriole to characterize mass transport in five concentric regions (blood, plasma layer, endothelium, vascular wall, perivascular tissue). Steady state gradients in nitric oxide, oxygen partial pressure, superoxide, and peroxynitrite, and associated production of hydrogen peroxide, nitrite, and nitrate were predicted for varying superoxide production rates, superoxide dismutase concentrations, and other physiological conditions. The model quantifies how competition between superoxide scavenging by nitric oxide and superoxide dismutase catalyzed removal varies spatially. Reversible inhibition of oxygen consumption by nitric oxide, which causes increased tissue oxygenation at deeper locations, was also included in the model. The mass transport model provides insight into complex interactions between reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in blood and tissue, and provides an objective way to evaluate the relative influence of different biochemical pathways on these interactions.