Contraction Of Ductus Arteriosus Research Articles

Contractile response of avian ductus arteriosus to chronic elevated oxygen levels

The ductus arteriosus (DA) is an oxygen sensitive embryonic blood vessel present in all developing amniotes. The DA connects the pulmonary artery to the aorta and shunts blood away from nonfunctioning lungs and towards the fetal respiratory organ. In birds at hatching, a rise in arterial PO2 initiates DA smooth muscle cell constriction to initiate closure. As the avian embryo approaches hatching, the DA contraction becomes more sensitive to oxygen. In this study we asked how 3‐hr chronic exposure to elevated oxygen levels of 5, 25, or 73 kPa oxygen influenced the oxygen stimulated contraction of the late term chicken DA. During the 3‐hr exposure, the greatest increase in contraction was seen in response to 73 kPa oxygen with smaller change occurring at 5 kPa oxygen exposure. Exposure to all three levels of oxygen resulted in resetting the baseline tension when oxygen was returned to 2.5 kPa. These changes in response to chronic elevated oxygen disappeared in the presence of cytochalasin B. These findings suggest that DA exposure to chronic elevated oxygen results in cellular changes in the contractile properties of the vessel allowing it to respond with greater contractile strength in response to a rise in oxygen.

Vasoactivity of magnesium sulfate in chicken ductus arteriosus.

Prenatal treatment with magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) has neuroprotective effects in very preterm infants but its use has been associated with an increased rate of patent ductus arteriosus (DA). MgSO4 is a vasodilator and thus may exert a direct relaxant effect in the DA. We aimed to investigate the vasoactive effects of MgSO4 in the DA using the chicken embryo as experimental model. DA rings from 15-d (E15), 17-d (E17) and 19-d (E19) chicken embryos (total incubation: 21-d) were mounted in a wire myograph for isometric tension recordings. Exposure of DA rings to 21% O2 induced a tonic contraction which was relaxed by MgSO4 (2.4 - 7.2 mmol L-1) in a concentration-dependent manner (mean maximal relaxation E19: 51.4%, SE 6.3; EC50: 3.5 mmol L-1, SE 0.7). The relaxation evoked by MgSO4 was not significantly different between E15, E17 and E19 DA and was not affected by removal of the endothelium or by the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME, the soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ, or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. In contrast, when the DA rings were incubated in Ca2+-free solution, or in the presence of inhibitors of L-type Ca2+ channels (nifedipine), or large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels (iberiotoxin), MgSO4-induced relaxation was impaired. Preincubation of the DA rings with MgSO4 concentrations ranging from 0 to 6.0 mmol L-1 did not significantly affect O2-induced contraction that was only impaired by a concentration of 7.2 mmol L-1. In conclusion, MgSO4 induced endothelium-independent relaxation of chicken DA and this relaxation appeared to be mediated through stimulation of BKCa channels and blockade of transmembrane flux of extracellular Ca2+. However, O2-induced DA contraction was only impaired by suprapharmacological concentrations of MgSO4 (> 6.0 mmol L-1). Therefore, our data suggest that the higher incidence of patent DA in preterm infants exposed to MgSO4 is unlikely to be due to a direct pharmacological effect of the drug on the DA.

Acute hypoxia-reoxygenation and vascular oxygen sensing in the chicken embryo.

Fetal/perinatal hypoxia is one of the most common causes of perinatal morbidity and mortality and is frequently accompannied by vascular dysfunction. However, the mechanisms involved have not been fully delineated. We hypothesized that exposure to acute hypoxia‐reoxygenation induces alterations in vascular O2 sensing/signaling as well as in endothelial function in the chicken embryo pulmonary artery (PA), mesenteric artery (MA), femoral artery (FA), and ductus arteriosus (DA). Noninternally pipped 19‐day embryos were exposed to 10% O2 for 30 min followed by reoxygenation with 21% O2 or 80% O2. Another group was constantly maintained at 21% O2 or at 21% O2 for 30 min and then exposed to 80% O2. Following treatment, responses of isolated blood vessels to hypoxia as well as endothelium‐dependent (acetylcholine) and ‐independent (sodium nitroprusside and forskolin) relaxation were investigated in a wire myograph. Hypoxia increased venous blood lactate from 2.03 ± 0.18 to 15.98 ± 0.73 mmol/L (P < 0.001) and reduced hatchability to 0%. However, ex vivo hypoxic contraction of PA and MA, hypoxic relaxation of FA, and normoxic contraction of DA were not significantly different in any of the experimental groups. Relaxations induced by acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside, and forskolin in PA, MA, FA, and DA rings were also similar in the four groups. In conclusion, exposure to acute hypoxia‐reoxygenation did not affect vascular oxygen sensing or reactivity in the chicken embryo. This suggests that direct effects of acute hypoxia‐reoxygenation on vascular function does not play a role in the pathophysiology of hypoxic cardiovascular injury in the perinatal period.

Glutamate Promotes Contraction of the Rat Ductus Arteriosus.

Extremely preterm infants frequently have patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Recent recommendations include immediately beginning amino acid supplementation in extremely preterm infants. However, the effect of amino acids on closure of the ductus arteriosus (DA) remains unknown.Methods and Results:Aminogram results in human neonates at day 2 revealed that the plasma glutamate concentration was significantly lower in extremely preterm infants (<28 weeks' gestation) with PDA than in those without PDA and relatively mature preterm infants (28-29 weeks gestation). To investigate the effect of glutamate on DA closure, glutamate receptor expression in fetal rats was examined and it was found that the glutamate inotropic receptor, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) type subunit 1 (GluR1), mRNA was highly expressed in the DA compared to the aorta on gestational day 19 (preterm) and gestational day 21 (term). GluR1 proteins were co-localized with tyrosine hydroxylase-positive autonomic nerve terminals in the rat and human DA. Intraperitoneal administration of glutamate increased noradrenaline production in the rat DA. A whole-body freezing method demonstrated that glutamate administration induced DA contraction in both preterm (gestational day 20) and term rat fetuses. Glutamate-induced DA contraction was attenuated by the calcium-sensitive GluR receptor antagonist, NASPM, or the adrenergic receptor α1 blocker, prazosin. These data suggest that glutamate induces DA contraction through GluR-mediated noradrenaline production. Supplementation of glutamate might help to prevent PDA in extremely preterm infants. (Circ J 2016; 80: 2388-2396).

PO-0510 Inhibition Of Pentose Phosphate Pathway And Nadph Oxidase Impaired The Response Of Chicken Ductus Arteriosus To Oxygen

Introduction NADPH derived from the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is a key system involved in maintaining the function of several important redox and antioxidant defense mechanisms. NADPH oxidases contain a catalytic NOX subunit that transfers electrons from NADPH to oxygen, thereby forming reactive oxygen species (ROS). Normoxic contraction of the ductus arteriosus (DA), such as occurs at birth, appears to be dependent upon the increase of ROS in DA smooth muscle cells. We hypothesised a role for NOX-derived ROS in the signalling pathway of oxygen-induced contraction of the DA. Methods We investigated the effects of the inhibition of PPP and NOX in the ex vivo response of chicken DA to oxygen. Experiments were performed in myograph-mounted DA rings (pulmonary and aortic sides) isolated from chicken embryos incubated for 19 days (total incubation: 21-d). Results Exposure to oxygen (21%) induced a sustained contractile response in the pulmonary but relaxation in the aortic side of 19-d DA. Incubation with the PPP inhibitor epiandrosterone or with the NOX inhibitors GKT-136901, VAS2870 and VAS3947 elicited a partial or complete impairment of oxygen-induced contraction. Phenylephrine- and KCl-induced contraction of chicken DA were impaired by epiandrosterone and VAS3947 but not by the other NOX inhibitors. Moreover, VAS3947 evoked an irreversible impairment of the contractility of the vessel. Oxygen-induced relaxation in the aortic part of the DA was not affected by NOX inhibitors. Conclusions Our data indicate that PPP and NADPH oxidase activation are events involved in the signalling cascade ofnormoxic contraction of chicken DA.

Activation of the EGFR/p38/JNK pathway by mitochondrial-derived hydrogen peroxide contributes to oxygen-induced contraction of ductus arteriosus.

Oxygen-induced contraction of the ductus arteriosus (DA) involves a mitochondrial oxygen sensor, which signals pO2 in the DA smooth muscle cell (DASMC) by increasing production of diffusible hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). H2O2 stimulates vasoconstriction by regulating ion channels and Rho kinase, leading to calcium influx and calcium sensitization. Because epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is also redox regulated and participates in oxygen sensing and vasoconstriction in other systems, we explored the role of the EGFR and its signaling cascade (p38 and c-Jun N-amino-terminal kinase (JNK)) in DA contraction. Experiments were performed in DA rings isolated from full-term New Zealand white rabbits and human DASMC. In human DASMCs, increasing pO2 from hypoxia to normoxia (40 to 100mmHg) significantly increased cytosolic calcium, p < 0.01. This normoxic rise in intracellular calcium was mimicked by EGF and inhibited by EGFR siRNA. In DA rings, EGF caused contraction while the specific EGFR inhibitor (AG1478) and the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (genistein or tyrphostin A23) selectively attenuated oxygen-induced contraction (p < 0.01). Conversely, orthovanadate, a tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor known to activate EGFR signaling, caused dose-dependent contraction of hypoxic DA and superimposed increases in oxygen caused minimal additional contraction. Anisomycin, an activator of EGFR's downstream kinases, p38 and JNK, caused DA contraction; conversely, oxygen-induced DA contraction was blocked by inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) (SB203580) or JNK (JNK inhibitor II). O2-induced phosphorylation of EGFR occurred within 5min of increasing pO2 and was inhibited by mitochondrial-targeted overexpression of catalase. AG1478 prevented the oxygen-induced p38 and JNK phosphorylation. In conclusion, O2-induced EGFR transactivation initiates p38/JNK-mediated increases in cytosolic calcium and contributes to DA contraction. The EGFR/p38/JNK pathway is regulated by mitochondrial redox signaling and is a promising therapeutic target for modulation of the patent ductus arteriosus. Oxygen activates epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in ductus arteriosus (DA) smooth muscle cells. EGFR inhibition selectively attenuates O2-induced DA constriction. pO2-induced EGFR activation is mediated by mitochondrial-derived hydrogen peroxide. p38 MAPK and JNK mediated EGFR's effects on oxygen-induced DA contraction. Tyrosine kinases and phosphatases participate in oxygen sensing in the DA. The EGFR pathway offers new therapeutic targets to modulate patency of the ductus arteriosus.

Ceramide Mediates Acute Oxygen Sensing in Vascular Tissues

A variety of vessels, such as resistance pulmonary arteries (PA) and fetoplacental arteries and the ductus arteriosus (DA) are specialized in sensing and responding to changes in oxygen tension. Despite opposite stimuli, normoxic DA contraction and hypoxic fetoplacental and PA vasoconstriction share some mechanistic features. Activation of neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase) and subsequent ceramide production has been involved in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). Herein we aimed to study the possible role of nSMase-derived ceramide as a common factor in the acute oxygen-sensing function of specialized vascular tissues. The nSMase inhibitor GW4869 and an anticeramide antibody reduced the hypoxic vasoconstriction in chicken PA and chorioallantoic arteries (CA) and the normoxic contraction of chicken DA. Incubation with interference RNA targeted to SMPD3 also inhibited HPV. Moreover, ceramide and reactive oxygen species production were increased by hypoxia in PA and by normoxia in DA. Either bacterial sphingomyelinase or ceramide mimicked the contractile responses of hypoxia in PA and CA and those of normoxia in the DA. Furthermore, ceramide inhibited voltage-gated potassium currents present in smooth muscle cells from PA and DA. Finally, the role of nSMase in acute oxygen sensing was also observed in human PA and DA. These data provide evidence for the proposal that nSMase-derived ceramide is a critical player in acute oxygen-sensing in specialized vascular tissues. Our results indicate that an increase in ceramide generation is involved in the vasoconstrictor responses induced by two opposite stimuli, such as hypoxia (in PA and CA) and normoxia (in DA).

Endothelin-1-endothelin receptor type A mediates closure of rat ductus arteriosus at birth.

1. The ductus arteriosus (DA) undergoes rapid closure after birth as pulmonary circulation is established. The involvement of endothelin-1 (ET1) in this closure mechanism is controversial. 2. The effect of ATZ1993 (ATZ), a non-peptide antagonist for the ET(A) and ET(B) receptors, on postnatal closure and O2-induced contraction of the rat DA was investigated both in vivo and in vitro. Rat pups were delivered by Caesarean section and were given ATZ intraperitoneally. The minimum external DA diameter and the extent of DA constriction in vivo were evaluated at 2.5 h after birth. ATZ caused a dose-dependent inhibition of DA closure in vivo. When rat pups were given ATZ at 2.5 h after birth, re-opening of the DA was observed. 3. In vitro, ATZ also caused a marked inhibition of O2-induced and ET1-induced DA contractions as did BQ123, an ET(A)-specific antagonist. In contrast, sarafotoxin S6c, an ET(B)-specific agonist, did not cause DA contraction and BQ788, an ET(B)-specific antagonist, did not affect O2-induced DA contraction. 4. In conclusion, ET1 and its cognate receptor ET(A) may play a physiological role in the postnatal closure of the rat DA in vivo.

Cyclooxygenase- (COX) 2 is the main intrinsic source of prostaglandins (PG) in the ductus arteriosus (DA) of the newborn (NB) but not of the fetus. • 109

Non-selective COX inhibitors are the mainstay for treatment of patent DA. COX-1 is the principal source of PG in the systemic circulation of the NB; but inhibition of COX-1 compromises gut and renal function. Selective COX-2 blockers would be effective in closing NB DA provided this enzyme is the principal source of PG in this tissue and intrinsic DA PG contribute more than circulating PG (from COX-1) to ductal tone. We studied the ontogeny of COX-1 and 2 expression in DA, and evaluated its functional significance. DA of NB( 90%, <10% and ≈50% of PG synthesis respectively in the NB DA, pulmonary artery and aorta, arose from COX-2. In contrast to NB, DA of fetal (95% gestation) pig expressed simply COX-1, and was confirmed in sheep and human fetus. Functional significance of predominant COX-2 expression in NB DA was evaluated by measuring contraction of isolated pig DA (bath[O2]=5%) to COX-2 blocker DuP697 (10 μM); DuP697 elicited DA contraction not augmented by non-selective COX blocker ibuprofen (0.1 mM). Finally, administration of DuP697 (5 mg/kg iv, which reduces COX-2 activity but not circulating PGE2 levels) to NB pig (<2½ h old) and fetal sheep (90% gestation) did not affect DA patency (echocardiogram), whereas indomethacin decreased plasma PGE2 levels and closed the DA. Data indicate that the DA of the NB, in contrast to that of the fetus, expresses abundantly more COX-2 than COX-1; but the circulating PGs, mostly from COX-1, exert the major control on DA patency in vivo. Thus COX-2 inhibitors are not an alternative to non-selective COX inhibitors to treat patent DA. On the other hand, because COX-2 is induced in inflamed tissue as well as in fetal membranes during labor, blockers of COX-2 to women during gestation (eg. early tocolysis) may be preferable to non-selective COX inhibitors which may undesirably close fetal DA.