The crucial role of calcium sensing receptor for hypoxia‐induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in mice (889.2)

Abstract

Rationale: An increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMC) is not only a major trigger for pulmonary vasoconstriction but also an important stimulus for PASMC proliferation. Our previous data showed that the extracellular calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) expression and function were both enhanced in PASMC from idiopathic PAH patients. However, the implication of CaSR in the development of PAH remains elusive.Methods: CaSR and parathyroid hormone double knockout (DK) mice were used to test the hypothesis that CaSR modulates pulmonary vascular tone and the response to hypoxia. Wild type (WT) and DK mice were exposed to 10% oxygen for up to three weeks. Pulmonary vascular remodeling was evaluated using tissue morphometrics. Right ventricle systolic pressures (RVSP) and right ventricular hypertrophy by, RV/(LV+S) ratios, were measured to evaluate pulmonary hypertensive development. We also isolated PASMC from WT or DK mice, followed with cell proliferation assay and cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) measurement.Results: WT and DK mice displayed normal systemic and pulmonary arterial pressure under normoxic conditions. However, compared to WT mice, DK mice had significantly lower RVSP, RV/LV+S ratios, and displayed less pulmonary vascular remodeling when exposed to hypoxia. Extracellular Ca2+ caused an increase in [Ca2+]cyt in PASMC isolated from hypoxic WT mice. However, restoration of extracellular Ca2+ had little effect on [Ca2+]cyt in DK mice. Additionally, a decrease in store‐operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) was observed in PASMC from DK mice, as compared to SOCE in PASMC from WT mice.Conclusion: These data indicate that CaSR plays an important role in the development and progression of pulmonary vascular remodeling in mice with PH. CaSR deletions prevent the development of hypoxia‐induced PAH in mice via its modulation of extracellular Ca2+ entry in PASMC, suggesting that CaSR may be a novel therapeutic candidate for the treatment of PAH.Grant Funding Source: Supported by NIH (HL066012; HL115014)