cGMP In Vascular Smooth Muscle Research Articles

Pulmonary vasodilation by phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition is enhanced and nitric oxide independent in early pulmonary hypertension after myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) may result in pulmonary hypertension (PH). Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), the enzyme responsible for the breakdown of cGMP in vascular smooth muscle, has become part of the contemporary therapeutic armamentarium for pulmonary arterial hypertension and may also be beneficial for PH secondary to MI. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important activator of cGMP synthesis and can be enhanced in early PH and decreased in severe PH. In the present study, we investigated if PDE5 inhibition ameliorates pulmonary hemodynamics in swine with PH secondary to MI and whether NO is essential. The PDE5 inhibitor EMD360527 was administered in awake, chronically instrumented swine with or without MI. At rest, PDE5 inhibition produced pulmonary vasodilation as evidenced by a decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance, which was more pronounced in MI ( n = 5) compared with normal swine ( n = 10, P ≤ 0.01) and was accompanied by an increase in stroke volume in MI swine. Both pulmonary vasodilation and increased stroke volume were maintained during exercise, suggesting that this therapy may improve exercise capacity in patients with PH secondary to MI. Interestingly, prior inhibition of NO significantly enhanced ( P ≤ 0.01) pulmonary vasodilation by PDE5 inhibition in both normal ( n = 8) and MI swine ( n = 5, P ≤ 0.05 vs. normal). This suggests that the increased vasodilator responses to PDE5 inhibition after MI were not due to an increase in NO-induced cGMP production. These observations indicate that PDE5 inhibition represents an interesting pharmacotherapeutic approach in early PH after a recent MI to prevent overt PH. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This research article is the first to describe that pulmonary vasodilation to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition is enhanced and nitric oxide independent in resting and exercising swine with pulmonary hypertension as a result of myocardial infarction. This suggests that phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition can normalize pulmonary hemodynamics in postcapillary pulmonary hypertension after a recent myocardial infarction and may improve exercise capacity.

Abstract P498: Redox Regulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle cGMP Signaling and Blood Pressure by Cytochrome B5 Reductase 3

Oxidized soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) heme iron (Fe 3+ ) is desensitized to nitric oxide (NO) and attenuates cGMP production needed for downstream activation of PKG-dependent signaling and vasodilation. While reactive oxygen species drive oxidation of sGC heme iron, the basic mechanism(s) governing sGC heme iron recycling to its NO-sensitive, reduced state (Fe 2+ ), are unknown. Here we report cytochrome b5 reductase 3 (Cyb5R3), also known as methemoglobin reductase, as a novel sGC heme iron reductase and regulator of cGMP production in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Oxidant challenge studies demonstrate that VSMCs have an intrinsic ability to reduce oxidized sGC heme iron and form protein-protein complexes between Cyb5R3 and oxidized sGC. Genetic knockdown and pharmacological inhibition in VSMCs reveal Cyb5R3 expression and activity is critical for NO-stimulated cGMP production and vasodilation. Mechanistically, Cyb5R3 directly reduces oxidized sGC for NO sensitization assessed by biochemical, cellular, and ex vivo assays. Furthermore, generation of a smooth muscle specific Cyb5R3 knockout shows increased blood pressure and impaired endothelial dependent vasodilation. Together, these findings uncover new insights into NO-sGC-cGMP signaling and reveal Cyb5R3 as the first identified physiological sGC heme iron reductase in VSMC. The co-expression of Cyb5R3 and sGC in multiple cell types may unveil a fundamental mechanistic partnership that is critical in numerous physiological and pathophysiological processes.

Abstract 297: Cyclic GMP Reduces Vascular Smooth Muscle Migration through Inhibition of TGF-ß1/Smad Signaling

Abnormal vascular smooth muscle (VSM) growth remains an elemental foundation of vasculoproliferative disorders including atherosclerosis and restenosis. Many second messenger, cytokine, and growth factor signals mediate control of VSM growth, and among these is transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, a pluripotent cytokine with wide-ranging yet often opposite effects in VSM. Cyclic nucleotide signaling also exerts powerful growth control of VSM, and our previous work has helped establish a biological link between cyclic GMP and TGF-β1 in injured carotid arteries. The current study characterized the influence of cyclic GMP on TGF-β1 and its receptor-activated Smad3 in rat primary VSM cells. The heme-dependent soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator BAY 41-2272 (BAY41) significantly increased cyclic GMP and site-specific phosphorylation of vasodilator-activated serum phosphoprotein (VASP) in manner indicative of active protein kinase G (PKG) and PKA signaling. Recombinant TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) significantly stimulated phospho-Smad3 (Ser 423/425 ) and decreased inhibitory Smad7 in VSM cell homogenates, and using flow cytometry significantly increased cells in G 2 /M and expression of cyclins D and E and Cdk2 and Cdk4 while decreasing expression of inhibitory p21 and p27 after 24 hours compared to vehicle controls. TGF-β1 also significantly increased cell numbers compared to controls after 48 hours, thus confirming growth promoting capacities of TGF-β1 in VSM. In cell lysates double-sandwich ELISA revealed that BAY41 significantly reduces total and active TGF-β1, and Western analyses showed it significantly decreases total and phospho-Smad3 Ser423/425 expression and reduces MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and activity (via column zymography) in both cell lysates and conditioned media after 1 and 48 hours. BAY41 also significantly reduced serum- and PDGF-stimulated cell migration between 6 and 18 hours using an in vitro scrape injury and a transwell assay. In comparison, inclusive effects of BAY41 were replicated by its prototype YC-1 and by the heme-independent sGC activator BAY 60-2770. These data clearly support growth protective capacities of cGMP in VSM and propose it operates through attenuation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling.

Acute pulmonary hypertension in infants and children: cGMP-related drugs

Pharmacologic strategies to reduce pulmonary vascular tone and to treat pulmonary hypertension originally aimed to enrich vascular smooth muscle cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels. Alternatively, increasing cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) also reduces pulmonary vascular tone. Inhaled nitric oxide is extremely efficacious in increasing cGMP and selectively reducing mean pulmonary arterial pressure in pediatric cardiac patients. It is considered standard treatment in most centers. However, not all patients respond to inhaled nitric oxide and withdrawal is sometimes problematic. This has prompted investigation of alternative methods to increase intracellular vascular smooth muscle cGMP. Phosphodiesterase type 5 is particularly abundant in the lung vasculature of patients with severe pulmonary hypertension. Its inhibition with the sildenafil class of drugs is now commonplace. Drugs that affect cGMP metabolism in children with acute pulmonary hypertension are the subject of this review and consensus statement. Oral sildenafil is recommended in postoperative pulmonary hypertension after failed withdrawal of inhaled NO (class I, level of evidence B). The effectiveness of prolonged treatment with sildenafil in documented postoperative pulmonary hypertension is not well established (class IIb, level of evidence C). Sildenafil is indicated in idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, although data have been extrapolated mainly from adult trial (class I, level of evidence A, extrapolated). Recently, completed pediatric trials have seemed to support this recommendation. Longer-acting and intravenous forms of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, brain natriuretic peptides, and direct soluble guanylate cyclise activators all have appeal, but there is insufficient experience in children with acute pulmonary hypertensive disorders for recommendations on treatment.

Lipopolysaccharide alters vasodilation to atrial natriuretic peptide via nitric oxide and endothelin-1: Time-dependent effects

Nitric oxide (NO) induces vascular relaxation via cGMP in vascular smooth muscle (VSM) and is an important mediator of vascular tone during sepsis, as endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) may be upregulated during the early stages. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) also stimulates cGMP via eNOS hence, this study aimed to investigate the role of NO in time-dependent altered vascular responses to ANP during the first 4 h of exposure to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We used male rat saphenous arteries [internal relaxed diameter 63–152 µm, n = 48], mounted on a wire myograph and pre-constricted with phenylephrine. At 2 h in the presence of LPS, there was increased relaxation to ANP in arteries exposed to LPS [16.3 ± 2.4%, P < 0.05]. However the response to ANP was not altered by the NOS inhibitor Nω-nitro- l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 − 4 M) and following denudation (vessels without endothelium). At 4 h there was no longer increased relaxation to ANP in the presence of LPS. Moreover the vasodilator response to ANP was significantly reduced following L-NAME or denudation [4.4 ± 1.0% and 4.3 ± 1.1% respectively, P < 0.05]. However, the non-specific endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptor antagonist Bosentan [10 − 5 M] increased dilatation in LPS exposed arteries at 1 and 2 h, reaching significance at 4 h [14.0 ± 3.4%, P < 0.05]. In summary, an endothelial and NO dependent mechanism is responsible for increased relaxation to ANP following 2 h exposure to LPS. However after 4 h an endothelial and NO independent process involving ET-1 is responsible for decreased relaxation to ANP. The enhanced response to ANP may exacerbate early systemic vasodilatation during early sepsis.

Phosphodiesterase 5 activity is reduced in the coronary circulation of swine after myocardial infarction

NO results in vasodilation through production of cGMP in vascular smooth muscle. This cGMP is inactivated by phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5). If NO bioavailability is reduced, i.e. after myocardial infarction (MI), coronary vasodilation can be induced by administration of NO. Alternatively, if the breakdown of cGMP is prevented, i.e. through inhibition of PDE5, the action of endogenous NO is prolonged. In a previous study in swine with MI we found that the NO-dependent vasodilator response to exercise was maintained, while ATP-induced NO-dependent coronary vasodilation was reduced. We hypothesized that the reduced bioavailability of NO after MI is compensated by endogenous downregulation of PDE5 activity and investigated if PDE5 inhibition augments coronary vasodilation to a similar extent as in normal swine. Chronically instrumented swine (6 with and 7 without MI) were exercised on a treadmill (0–4 km/h) and coronary vasodilation was compared before and during infusion of the PDE5 inhibitor EMD360527 (0.03 mg/kg/min iv). Inhibition of PDE5 resulted in vasodilation at rest and during exercise in both groups of swine. The response to PDE5 was markedly smaller in MI compared to normal swine. Thus, downregulation of PDE5 activity may act to compensate for a reduced NO bioavailability in the coronary resistance vessels in remote myocardium after MI. Supported by the Netherlands Heart Foundation (grant 2000T042).

Enhanced vascular cGMP/cGK I signaling and hypotonia in cysteine-rich-protein 2-deficient mice

The NO/cGMP signaling pathway plays an important role in vasorelaxation and blood pressure regulation. The predominant effector of cGMP in vascular smooth muscle is cGMP kinase I (cGK I). Established substrates of cGK I in vascular smooth muscle are the large-conductance voltageand Ca2+-activated (BK) potassium channel, the IP3receptor-associated cGMP kinase substrate (IRAG) and the myosin phophatase 1 M. Previously, we identified the cysteine-rich protein 2 (CRP2) in blood vessels as a new substrate of cGK I which is specifically phosphorylated by cGK I in vivo. However, the physiological role of CRP2 and its involvement in regulation of vascular tone as an effector of cGMP/cGK I signaling was not known. To elucidate the functional role of CRP2 in vascular smooth muscle, we generated CRP2-deficient (CRP2-/-) mice. The myogenic tone of CRP2-/tibial small arteries towards stepwise pressure changes revealed no differences when compared to wild type (wt). Unexpectedly, cGMP-mediated relaxation was enhanced in CRP2-/tibial small arteries and A. saphena. In contrast to cGMP, the cAMP-mediated relaxation was not affected in these vessels. Long-term radiotelemetric recordings revealed a significantly decreased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and an enhanced NO/ cGMP signaling in CRP2-/mice compared to wt. In-depth analysis revealed increased protein levels of cGK I, whereas the expression of cGK I targets such as BK channel and IRAG was not altered in CRP2-/vessels compared to wt. Interactor screens with CRP2 as a bait revealed a specific interaction with a translation initiation factor. These findings suggest that CRP2 is a specific effector of the vascular NO/cGMP/cGK I signaling in vivo. CRP2 seems to be involved in the regulation of the NO/cGMP/cGK I signaling pathway by modulating cGK I expression. In addition, the CRP2-/mouse line may serve as an animal model for hypotonia. from 2nd International Conference of cGMP Generators, Effectors and Therapeutic Implications Potsdam, Germany, 10–12 June, 2005

Diverging vasorelaxing effects of C-type natriuretic peptide in renal resistance arteries and aortas of GC-A-deficient mice

This study aimed to characterize the vasorelaxing effects of ANP, BNP and CNP in isolated renal resistance arteries (RRA) from wild-type mice and mice with either systemic (GC-A −/−) or smooth muscle-restricted deletion of GC-A (SMC GC-A KO). In RRA from wild-type (GC-A +/+) mice natriuretic peptides (NP) induced concentration-dependent vasorelaxations with the rank order of potency AN P>BNP>CNP. In RAA obtained from mice with systemic or smooth muscle-restricted deletion of GC-A, the effects of ANP and BNP were abolished. In contrast, CNP induced concentration-dependent vasorelaxations of GC-A −/− and SMC GC-A KO RRA. However, the efficacy of CNP for vasorelaxation was markedly diminished compared with wild-type RRA. Such changes in CNP responsiveness did not affect large arteries as the aorta and they were not due to vascular changes secondary to chronic arterial hypertension in GC-A −/− mice. Unaltered vasorelaxing effects of acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside demonstrated unaltered function of downstream targets regulated by cGMP in vascular smooth muscle. An increased expression of the clearance receptor (NPR-C) or diminished expression of GC-B were not found to account for the differences in CNP responsiveness. In conclusion, observations in isolated aortic rings do not necessarily allow conclusions concerning the physiology of natriuretic peptides in the smaller resistance size arteries. Changes at the GC-B receptor level are likely to explain the diminished responsiveness of GC-A-deficient RRA to CNP.

Rapid tachyphylaxis to hemodynamic effects of PACAP-27 after inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis.

The vasodilator effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-27 are subject to tachyphylaxis in rats treated with the nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). We examined whether this tachyphylaxis could be prevented by administration of the putative endothelium-derived nitrosyl factor S-nitroso-L-cysteine (L-SNC) and whether L-SNC may exert its effects via increases in cGMP levels in vascular smooth muscle. Five doses of PACAP-27 (2 nmol/kg iv) produced pronounced vasodilator responses in saline-treated rats. These responses were not subject to tachyphylaxis. The first injection of PACAP-27 (2 nmol/kg iv) in L-NAME-treated (50 micromol/kg iv) rats produced vasodilator responses similar to those in saline-treated rats, whereas subsequent injections produced progressively smaller responses. The injection of L-SNC (1,200 nmol/kg iv) before each injection of PACAP-27 prevented tachyphylaxis to the Gs protein-coupled receptor agonist in L-NAME-treated rats, whereas equihypotensive doses of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside (100 micrograms/kg iv) did not. The injection of the membrane-permeant cGMP analog 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-CPT-cGMP; 30 micromol/kg iv) to L-NAME-treated rats restored resting hemodynamic values to pre-L-NAME levels but did not prevent the development of tachyphylaxis to PACAP-27. These results suggest that nitrosyl factors prevent the development of tachyphylaxis to the hemodynamic actions of PACAP-27. These nitrosyl factors may act independently of their ability to generate cGMP in vascular smooth muscle.

A C-type natriuretic peptide from the venom of the platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus): Structure and pharmacology

A peptide which relaxes rat uterine smooth muscle and exhibits homology with the mammalian C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has previously been identified in platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus) venom from its partial N-terminal amino acid sequence. In this study we describe the purification, detailed structure, synthesis and pharmacological characteristics of this peptide, which has been designated ovCNP-39 ( Ornithorhynchus venom C-type natriuretic peptide). Elucidation of the 39-residue amino acid sequence confirms the homology with mammalian CNPs. These peptides produce hypotension in vivo and relax smooth muscle in vitro, but are poorly characterised in terms of physiological function. ovCNP-39 is equipotent with human/rat/porcine CNP-22 in eliciting cyclic guanosine 5′-monophosphate (cGMP) elevation in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, suggesting that, like CNP, it acts through the ANP B natriuretic peptide receptor subtype. The direct elevation of cGMP in vascular smooth muscle by ovCNP-39 may underlie the vasodilatory effects of platypus envenomation.

A C-Type Natriuretic Peptide from The Venom of The Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) - Structure and Pharmacology.

A peptide which relaxes rat uterine smooth muscle and exhibits homology with the mammalian C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) has previously been identified in platypus venom. In this study we describe detailed structural and pharmacological characteristics of this peptide, which has been labelled ONP-39 (Ornithorhynchus Natriuretic Peptide). Elucidation of its 39-residue primary sequence confirms the substantial homology it shares with mammalian CNPs. These peptides exhibit natriuretic, diuretic and hypotensive activities in vivo and relax smooth muscle in vitro but are poorly characterised in terms of physiological function. ONP-39 is equipotent with CNP in causing cGMP elevation in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, suggesting that, like CNP, it acts through ANPB receptors. The direct elevation of cGMP in vascular smooth muscle by ONP-39 may underlie vasodilatory effects of platypus venom.

P-581 - cAMP-mediated vasorelaxation is regulated by endothelial nitric oxide and basal cGMP in vascular smooth muscle

P-581 - cAMP-mediated vasorelaxation is regulated by endothelial nitric oxide and basal cGMP in vascular smooth muscle

L- and D-S-nitroso-beta,beta-dimethylcysteine differentially increase cGMP in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

We examined the effects of the L- and D-isomers of S-nitroso-beta,beta-dimethylcysteine (L- and D-S-nitrosopenicillamine, 10(-7)-10(-5) M) on the guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) content of cultured porcine aortic smooth muscle cells and the decomposition of these stereoisomers to nitric oxide (NO). L-S-nitrosopenicillamine was a more potent generator of cGMP than D-S-nitrosopenicillamine although both stereoisomers equally decomposed to NO. The 10(-7) M concentration of L- or D-S-nitrosopenicillamine did not generate detectable amounts of NO although 10(-7) M L-S-nitrosopenicillamine but not D-S-nitrosopenicillamine generated significant amounts of cGMP. This study shows that the stereoisomeric configuration of S-nitrosopenicillamine is an important factor in its biological potency. The data suggest that the extracellular or intracellular generation of NO is not the only mechanism by which this S-nitrosothiol generates cGMP in vascular smooth muscle.

Endothelial vasodilator production by uterine and systemic arteries. I. Effects of ANG II on PGI2 and NO in pregnancy.

Uterine vasculature is less responsive than systemic vasculature to angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced vasoconstriction. We hypothesized that pregnancy augments basal and ANG II-stimulated endothelial prostacyclin (PGI2) and/or nitric oxide (NO) production, which locally increase vascular smooth muscle (VSM) adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), respectively. Uterine (UA) and systemic arteries (SA) from pregnant (P) and nonpregnant (NP) sheep were incubated with isobutylmethylxanthine. Basal PGI2, cAMP, and cGMP production was 2.4-, 1.6-, and 5.9-fold greater (P < 0.01) in UA from P vs. NP sheep; endothelium removal lowered (P < 0.05) values 69, 44, and 88%. Basal SA PGI2 and cAMP, but not cGMP, also were elevated by pregnancy. Indomethacin (Indo; 100 microM) decreased PGI2 and cAMP, but not cGMP production; N omega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 microM) and methylene blue (MB, 10 microM) only decreased cGMP. Basal UA, but not SA, NO synthase activity (conversion of [3H]arginine to [3H]citrulline), was 1.8-fold higher in pregnancy and decreased (P < 0.01) after endothelium removal and with L-NAME. ANG II (50 nM) increased PGI2 (86%) and cAMP (56%) production only in UA from P sheep (P < 0.05); this was abolished by endothelium removal or Indo. ANG II also increased (P < 0.01) cGMP production by UA from both groups but only by SA from P ewes; this was absent in denuded, L-NAME-, or MB-treated vessels. Stimulation of VSM cGMP production with sodium nitroprusside (50 microM) was inhibited by MB, but not L-NAME or endothelium removal. In pregnancy, endothelial PGI2 and NO production are enhanced and may contribute to attenuated ANG II vasoconstriction via VSM cAMP and cGMP.

CGMP mediates the vascular and platelet actions of nitric oxide: confirmation using an inhibitor of the soluble guanylyl cyclase.

The L-arginine:nitric oxide (NO) pathway is believed to exert many of its physiological effects via stimulation of the soluble guanylyl cyclase (SGC); however, the lack of a selective inhibitor of this enzyme has prevented conclusive demonstration of this mechanism of action. We have found that the compound 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3,-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) inhibits the elevation of cGMP induced by the NO donor S-nitroso-DL-penicillamine in human platelets and rat vascular smooth muscle (IC50 = 10-60 nM and <10 nM, respectively) and that this is accompanied by prevention of the platelet inhibitory and vasodilator actions of NO donors. ODQ also inhibited the antiaggregatory action of NO generated by the platelets but did not affect the action of prostacyclin or that of a cGMP mimetic. In addition, ODQ inhibited the vasodilator actions of endogenously released NO and of NO generated after induction of NO synthase in vascular preparations. It did not, however, affect the increase in vascular smooth muscle cGMP or the dilatation induced by atrial natriuretic factor. ODQ had no effect on NO synthase activity, nor did it react with NO. It did, however, potently (IC50 approximately 10 nM) inhibit the activity of the SGC in cytosol obtained from crude extract of rat aortic smooth muscle. Thus ODQ prevents the actions of NO on platelets and vascular smooth muscle through its potent inhibitory effect on the SGC.

Demonstration of endothelium-mediated increase in vascular smooth muscle cGMP, in a flexible coculture model

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of applying a novel coculture model for the investigation of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) as well as exploring its applicability for investigating important cell-to-cell interactions. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (EC) were grown on micropore filters while porcine aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) were grown separately on plates. When confluent these two cell layers were cocultured such that the EC maintained proper polarity and orientation to the underlying SMC. We found that coculturing EC with SMC for five minutes caused significant increase in SMC cGMP, 43±4 vs 268±13 fmols/well (p<0.0001). This EC-mediated effect was further augmented with EDRF agonists and with L-arginine supplementation, but was inhibited by nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME) and reduced hemoglobin. When the EC were cocultured with subendothelial THP-1 monocytes for three hours prior to the SMC coculture, the EC mediated increase in SMC cGMP, both stimulated and unstimulated, was significantly reduced. We conclude that this flexible coculture model can be used to study EDRF release from EC and can be applied to study important cell-to-cell interactions that have been difficult to address in other models.

Nitric oxide and cGMP cause vasorelaxation by activation of a charybdotoxin-sensitive K channel by cGMP-dependent protein kinase.

Nitric oxide (NO)-induced relaxation is associated with increased levels of cGMP in vascular smooth muscle cells. However, the mechanism by which cGMP causes relaxation is unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that activation of Ca-sensitive K (KCa) channels, mediated by a cGMP-dependent protein kinase, is responsible for the relaxation occurring in response to cGMP. In rat pulmonary artery rings, cGMP-dependent, but not cGMP-independent, relaxation was inhibited by tetraethylammonium, a classical K-channel blocker, and charybdotoxin, an inhibitor of KCa channels. Increasing extracellular K concentration also inhibited cGMP-dependent relaxation, without reducing vascular smooth muscle cGMP levels. In whole-cell patch-clamp experiments, NO and cGMP increased whole-cell K current by activating KCa channels. This effect was mimicked by intracellular administration of (Sp)-guanosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphorothioate, a preferential cGMP-dependent protein kinase activator. Okadaic acid, a phosphatase inhibitor, enhanced whole-cell K current, consistent with an important role for channel phosphorylation in the activation of NO-responsive KCa channels. Thus NO and cGMP relax vascular smooth muscle by a cGMP-dependent protein kinase-dependent activation of K channels. This suggests that the final common pathway shared by NO and the nitrovasodilators is cGMP-dependent K-channel activation.

Regulation of the expression of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase by cell density in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase (cGMP kinase) is the major receptor protein for cGMP in vascular smooth muscle. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) isolated from the rat aorta express type I cGMP kinase at high levels, but expression decreases markedly upon passage of the cells. In primary or early passage, the expression of cGMP kinase is lowest when cells are plated at low density as assessed by immunological and Northern analyses. Expression increases at confluence and is maintained in postconfluent cultures. With repeated passaging, however, the levels of cGMP kinase decrease even in confluent and postconfluent cultures so that after several passages enzyme levels are undetectable. The decrease in expression in passaged cells is not due to exposure to serum-derived growth factors, but rather on the repeated exposure of cells to conditions in which cell density is reduced (i.e., subculturing). These results indicate that aortic VSMC grown at low density or those repetitively passaged have reduced expression of cGMP kinase, and thus may not represent appropriate cultures with which to investigate the role of nitric oxide and cGMP in VSMC function.

Interaction of endothelium with dilation produced by inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide diesterases in mouse brain arterioles in vivo.

In vitro evidence gathered from extracerebral conductance vessels suggests interaction between the endothelium-derived relaxing factor for acetylcholine (EDRFACh) and cyclic nucleotide action in vascular smooth muscle. The purpose of this study was to examine this interaction in vivo in pial arterioles. As had been done in vitro, we used phosphodiesterase inhibitors that elevate cyclic nucleotide levels in vascular smooth muscle. Pial vessels of mice were observed with television microscopy. Diameter of the arterioles was monitored with an image-splitting technique. The responses to topically applied phosphodiesterase inhibitors were tested before and after focal endothelial injury or before and during application of N-guanidino-L-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA). Both treatments are known to eliminate the endothelium-dependent response to acetylcholine in this preparation. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors dilated pial arterioles. This was true for phosphodiesterase inhibitors elevating levels of both adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) as well as for inhibitors thought to selectively affect either nucleotide. The dilation was inhibited by endothelial injury and by L-NMMA. The data suggest that brain arterioles are dilated by both cAMP and cGMP but that this action is impaired if EDRFACh levels are reduced. Since EDRFACh elevates cGMP levels, these data support the hypothesis that the relaxing actions of cGMP and cAMP depend upon adequate basal levels of cGMP in vascular smooth muscle. This hypothesis, originally introduced in studies of extracerebral conductance arteries in vitro, can now be applied to brain resistance vessels in vivo.

Association of pulmonary artery photorelaxation with H2O2 metabolism by catalase

We have examined the mechanism governing guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP)-associated photoinduced relaxation elicited by long-wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light of endothelium-removed, isolated bovine pulmonary arteries. Hypoxia, produced by gassing of the organ bath solution with 95% N2-5% CO2, inhibited photorelaxation. Photorelaxation was also inhibited by cyanide (1 mM NaCN) but was potentiated by lactate (5 mM). Irradiation of bovine pulmonary arterial smooth muscle with UV light (or exposure to exogenous H2O2) stimulated cyanide-inhibitable oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde, suggesting that UV light increased H2O2 metabolism via catalase. The UV light-induced oxidation of methanol by pulmonary arterial smooth muscle was also inhibited by hypoxia. Consumption of O2 was detected when pulmonary arterial tissue was exposed to UV light, but cyanide failed to interfere with this effect, consistent with the photochemical reduction of O2 within vascular smooth muscle in a manner independent of mitochondrial respiration. We propose that photorelaxation is associated with the intracellular photochemical reduction of O2 to form H2O2, which elicits increases of vascular smooth muscle cGMP levels via the catalase-dependent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase. In addition, we hypothesize that the photooxidation of NAD(P)H could contribute to the generation of H2O2, since the enhancement of photorelaxation by lactate may originate from increased levels of NADH.