Reduced expression of angiotensin I-converting enzyme in Caveolin-1 knockout mouse lungs

Nikolaos A Maniatis,Irina V Balyasnikova,Roman Metzger,Maricela Castellon,David J Visintine,David E Schwartz,Richard D Minshall,Sergei M Danilov

doi:10.1016/j.mvr.2010.04.008

Abstract

Reduced lung capillary expression of angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE), a key enzyme in cardiovascular pathophysiology, and of caveolin-1, an important regulator of endothelial cell signalling, has been demonstrated in various models of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We addressed the relationship between PAH and ACE expression in caveolin-1 knockout mice ( Cav1 − / −), which have moderate PAH. Tissue ACE activity was reduced by 50% in lungs from 3-month-old Cav1 − /− mice compared to wild type (WT). A similar reduction in lung endothelial ACE expression was observed by measuring the lung uptake of 125I-labeled monoclonal anti-ACE antibody and by quantitative immunohistochemistry. These alterations in ACE are limited to capillary segments of the pulmonary circulation. Functionally, the increase in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in response to ACE conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in isolated, perfused mouse lungs was reduced significantly in Cav1 − /− mice compared to WT. Thus, these complementary approaches demonstrate the dependence of lung microvascular endothelial cell ACE protein expression on caveolin-1 expression and underscore the vital role of caveolin-1-regulated pulmonary vascular homeostasis on endothelial ACE expression and activity. In summary, we have revealed a novel role of caveolin-1 in the regulation of ACE expression in pulmonary capillary endothelial cells. Further understanding of the mechanism by which reduced caveolin-1 expression leads altered pulmonary vascular development, PAH, and reduced ACE expression may have important clinical implications in patients with these severe lung diseases.

Highlights

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating illness characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart failure
The absence of caveolin-1 in endothelial cells of Cav1−/− mice leads to increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity and NO generation resulting in enhanced relaxation of preconstricted aortic rings (Drab et al, 2001) and destabilization of cell-cell junctions (Miyawaki-Schimizu et al, 2006, Schubert et al, 2002)
Cav1−/− x endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)−/− double knockout mice show reduced pulmonary artery pressure compared to Cav1−/− mice (Zhao et al, 2009) indicating elevated eNOS activity may play a causal role in the etiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in the absence of Cav1

Summary

Introduction

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating illness characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart failure. We observed significantly reduced ACE expression and activity in Cav1−/− mouse lungs and reduced ATI-mediated pulmonary artery vasoconstriction compared to WT mice.

Results

Conclusion