Chronic Hypoxia uncouples Ca2+ and eNOS in bradykinin-induced relaxation of Ovine pulmonary arteries

Carla M Blum-Johnston, Monica M Romero, Chelsea Wee, Quintin Blood, Rachael H Wilson, Arlin B. Blood, Michael Francis, Mark S Taylor, Lawrence D Longo, Sean M Wilson

Research output: Contribution to journalMeeting abstractpeer-review

Abstract

Bradykinin‐induced activation of the pulmonary endothelium triggers a rise in intracellular Ca 2+ , which activates a nitric oxide (NO)‐dependent signaling pathway. This pathway leads to vasodilation, thereby regulating pulmonary blood flow and 0 2 uptake. This vasodilation process includes stimulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and downstream activation of large‐conductance K + (Maxi K + ) channels. Chronic hypoxia (CH) is known to increase pulmonary pressures and restrict arterial relaxation, and can contribute to the development of pulmonary hypertension. We thus examined the effects of CH on bradykinin‐induced Ca 2+ signals, bradykinin‐induced vasorelaxation, and the roles of eNOS and Maxi K + channels in this relaxation. Wire‐myography and confocal microscopy studies were performed on pulmonary arteries (PA) from nonpregnant ewes that lived in a normoxic state at low altitude or a hypoxic state at high altitude (3,801 m) for >100 days. eNOS was inhibited with 100 μM N G ‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (LNAME), and Maxi K + channels were blocked with 1mM tetraethylammonium (TEA). The data show CH augmented endothelial Ca 2+ signals, but restricted bradykinin relaxation. Further, CH caused bradykinin‐induced contraction. LNAME sensitivity was restricted, which suggests eNOS dysfunction is central to the uncoupling of Ca 2+ signals and bradykinin relaxation. CH also abolished TEA‐sensitivity in bradykinin relaxation, suggesting there is loss of Maxi K + function following CH. Overall, these results suggest that CH causes uncoupling of endothelial Ca 2+ signaling and eNOS function and mediates major changes in the mechanisms of membrane hyperpolarization. It follows that CH‐induced Ca 2+ ‐eNOS uncoupling and Maxi K + channel dysfunction are important mechanisms to examine as future therapeutic avenues for pulmonary hypertension. Support or Funding Information Support from NIH, NSF and Loma Linda University School of Medicine
Original languageAmerican English
JournalThe FASEB Journal
Volume31
Issue numberS1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2017

Disciplines

  • Biology
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism
  • Cardiology
  • Internal Medicine

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