15-hydroxy-5-8-11-13-eicosatetraenoic-acid and Hypoxia

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease with a complex aetiology characterized by elevated pulmonary artery resistance, which leads to right heart ventricular afterload and ultimately progressing to right ventricular failure and often death. In addition to other factors, metabolites of arachidonic acid cascade play an important role in the pulmonary vasculature, and disruption of signaling pathways of arachidonic acid plays a central role in the pathogenesis of PAH. 15-Lipoxygenase (15-LO) is upregulated in pulmonary artery endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells of PAH patients, and its metabolite 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) in particular seems to play a central role in the contractile machinery, and in the initiation and propagation of cell proliferation via its effects on signal pathways, mitogens, and cell cycle components. Here, we focus on our important research into the role played by 15-LO/15-HETE, which promotes a proliferative, antiapoptotic, and vasoconstrictive physiological milieu leading to hypoxic pulmonary hypertension.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Arachidonic Acid; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypoxia; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Vasoconstriction

Our previous studies have shown that 15-LO2/15-HETE induced by hypoxia played an important role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PH). However, the transportations of 15-LO2/15-HETE among the cells remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the specific involvement of 15-LO2-containing exosomes in the overproliferation of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) induced by hypoxia and the underlying mechanism. In vitro, 15-LO2 was abundantly expressed and enriched in exosomes secreted from hypoxic PAECs, which subsequently activated the STAT3 signaling pathway, resulting in a robust increase in PAECs proliferation. In vivo treatment with the exosomes inhibitor GW4869 protected the pulmonary vascular homeostasis from dysfunctional and abnormal remodeling. Moreover, 15-LO2 was ubiquitinated under hypoxia, and further inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system significantly suppressed PAECs proliferation, suggesting that ubiquitination of 15-LO2 may contribute to its sorting into exosomes. Overall, these findings indicate a previously unrecognized effect of exosomes and the cargo 15-LO2 in pulmonary vascular homeostasis on the pathogenesis of PH.

Topics: Aniline Compounds; Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Benzylidene Compounds; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Endothelial Cells; Exosomes; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypoxia; Lung; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex; Pulmonary Artery; Signal Transduction; Ubiquitin; Ubiquitination

Angiogenesis promotes neurobehavioral recovery after cerebral ischemic stroke. 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) is one of the major metabolites of arachidonic acid by 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) and stimulates the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thus, inducing autocrine-mediated angiogenesis. The present study aimed to investigate the role of 15-LO/15-HETE system on VEGF expression and angiogenesis in brain ischemia.. Rat cerebral arterial vascular endothelial cells were used to set up a cell injury model of oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R), mimicking a condition of brain ischemia. A mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established.. Oxygen-glucose deprivation increased cellular expression of 15-LO-1 and VEGF. Transfection of 15-LO-1 siRNA depleted cells of 15-LO-1, and sequentially induced downregulation of VEGF expression; while, incubation of 15-HETE increased the expression of VEGF. Incubation of 15-HETE attenuated the reduction in cell viability induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation, and promoted cell migration, while transfection of 15-LO-1 siRNA showed an opposite effect. In animal experiments, the density of microvessels in hypoxic regions of brains was significantly increased after MCAO, while intracerebroventricular delivery of 15-LO-1 siRNA significantly reduced the density of microvessels, and downregulates VEGF expression.. The results indicate that the 15-LO-1/15-HETE system promotes angiogenesis in ischemic brains by upregulation of VEGF, representing a potential target for improving neurobehavioral recovery after cerebral ischemic stroke.

Topics: Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; Animals; Brain; Brain Ischemia; Cell Movement; Cells, Cultured; Cerebral Arteries; Disease Models, Animal; Endothelial Cells; Gene Expression Regulation; Glucose; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Mice; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; Rats; RNA, Small Interfering; Signal Transduction; Time Factors; Up-Regulation; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Topics: Hematopoietic Stem Cells; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypoxia

We previously reported that 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) and its metabolite 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) were up-regulated in pulmonary arterial cells from both pulmonary artery hypertension patients and hypoxic rats and that these factors mediated the progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH) by affecting the proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary arterial (PA) cells. However, the underlying mechanisms of the remodeling induced by 15-HETE have remained unclear. As reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 15-LO are both induced by hypoxia, it is possible that ROS are involved in the events of hypoxia-induced 15-LO expression that lead to PH. We employed immunohistochemistry, tube formation assays, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assays, and cell cycle analyses to explore the role of ROS in the process of 15-HETE-mediated hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH). We found that exogenous 15-HETE facilitated the generation of ROS and that this effect was mainly localized to mitochondria. In particular, the mitochondrial electron transport chain and nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (Nox4) were responsible for the significant 15-HETE-stimulated increase in ROS production. Moreover, ROS induced by 15-HETE stimulated endothelial cell (EC) migration and promoted pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation under hypoxia via the p38 MAPK pathway. These results indicated that 15-HETE-regulated ROS mediated hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling (PVR) via the p38 MAPK pathway.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Cattle; Cells, Cultured; Female; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypoxia; Lung; NADPH Oxidase 4; NADPH Oxidases; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reactive Oxygen Species; Signal Transduction; Vascular Remodeling

Ischemic heart disease is a major cause of death and morbidity and the search for novel therapeutic targets is still required. We have previously shown that the enzyme arachidonate 15 lipoxygenase (ALOX15), which catalyzes the conversion of arachidonic acid to 15-hydroxy eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), is highly expressed in ischemic heart tissue, but its role in the pathogenesis of ischemic heart disease is unclear. Here we showed that expression of ALOX15, but not ALOX12 or ALOX15B, was increased in ischemic versus non-ischemic human heart biopsy samples. A similar ALOX expression pattern was found in hypoxic human cardiomyocytes and cardiac endothelial cells. We also showed that levels of 15-HETE were significantly higher in ischemic versus non-ischemic human heart biopsy samples and showed a tendency to increase in serum from the patients with ischemic heart disease. Moreover, hypoxia increased the production of 15-HETE levels from human cardiomyocytes and cardiac endothelial cells. The hypoxia-induced increase in 15-HETE levels from human cardiomyocytes was inhibited by the ALOX15 inhibitor baicalein. Finally, by using intrinsic rotational thromboelastometry, we showed that human whole blood clotted faster in the presence of 15-HETE. In summary, we propose that increased ALOX15 expression in heart tissue under ischemic conditions may lead to increased production of 15-HETE, potentially contributing to thrombosis.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angiography; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Cell Line; Endothelial Cells; Female; Gene Expression; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Male; Myocardial Ischemia; Myocardium; Myocytes, Cardiac; Primary Cell Culture; Thrombelastography; Thrombosis

We have previously shown that 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) plays a critical role in pulmonary hypertension (PH)-associated vascular remodeling. However, the signaling mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of 15-lipoxygenase-2 (15-LO-2)/15-HETE-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway in hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and the underlying mechanisms.. The arterial wall thickness was measured by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining in distal pulmonary arteries isolated from normal and PAH patient-derived lungs. The protein expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) and phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (p-p38MAPK) were measured by Western blot in the lungs of PAH patients and hypoxia-induced rats. The apoptosis of cultured rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) was determined by Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and Flow cytometry. The cell proliferation and cell cycle in PASMCs following hypoxia were analyzed by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and flow cytometry, respectively.. Our results showed that the levels of p-ERK and p-p38MAPK were both drastically elevated in lungs from human patients and hypoxic rats. The HE staining revealed that the medial wall thickness was higher in patients with PAH than normal humans. In cultured PASMCs, Hypoxia stimulated the cell proliferation, the cell cycle progression, and subsequently promoted cell differentiation and cell migration leading to the suppressed cell apoptosis. Furthermore, MAPKs- induced cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis in PASMCs is 15-LO-2/15HETE activation-dependent.. Our study indicates that hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling is associated with increased levels of 15-LO-2 and 15-HETE. 15-LO-2/15-HETE stimulates the cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis in PASMCs through phosphorylation of ERK and p38MAPK, which subsequently contributing to hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling.

Topics: Adult; Animals; Apoptosis; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Cell Cycle; Cell Differentiation; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; Female; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Lung; Male; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Signal Transduction; Vascular Remodeling

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease characterized by thickening of pulmonary artery walls, elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular thrombotic lesions, and right heart failure. Recent studies suggest that 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO)/15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) play an important role in PAH, acting on arterial walls. Here, we show evidence for the action of the 15-LO/15-HETE signaling in the pulmonary vascular thrombotic lesions in the experimental PAH models. Platelet deposition was augmented in rats exposed to hypoxia and Sugen 5416, which were both prevented by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a 15-LO inhibitor. Chronic hypoxic resulted in the platelet deposition specifically in pulmonary vasculature, which was reversed by 15-LO inhibitor. The 15-LO pathway mediated in the endothelial dysfunction induced by hypoxia in vivo. Meanwhile, 15-HETE positively regulated the generation of IL-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). The coagulation and platelet activation induced by hypoxia were reversed by 15-LO inhibitor NDGA or the MCP-1 inhibitor synthesis inhibitor bindarit in rats. The 15-LO/15-HETE signaling promoted the coagulation and platelet activation, which was suppressed by MCP-1 inhibition. These results therefore suggest that 15-LO/15-HETE signaling plays a role in platelet activation and pulmonary vascular thrombosis in PAH, involving MCP-1.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Blood Platelets; Cells, Cultured; Chemokine CCL2; Cytokines; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypoxia; Indazoles; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Male; Masoprocol; Platelet Activation; Propionates; Pulmonary Artery; Random Allocation; Rats; Rats, Wistar; RNA Interference; RNA, Small Interfering; Signal Transduction; Thrombosis; Vascular Resistance

Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO)/15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) is involved in hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension. Chronic hypoxia-induced vascular inflammation has been considered as an important stage in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Here, we determined the contribution of 15-HETE in the hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular inflammation.. Chronic hypoxia-induced monocyte/macrophage infiltration and the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 were analyzed in hypoxic rat model and cultured pulmonary arterial endothelium cells using immunochemistry methods. We found that monocyte/macrophage infiltration and the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecules under hypoxia were markedly inhibited by 15-HETE inhibitors or 15-LO1/2 small interfering RNA. In addition, exogenous 15-HETE enhanced the expression of both adhesion molecules in pulmonary arterial endothelium cells in a time-dependent manner. Hypoxia-induced 15-LO1/2 expression in rat pulmonary arterial endothelium cells was significantly abolished by nuclear factor-κB inhibitors. Meanwhile, nuclear factor-κB activity was enhanced prominently by the 15-LO1/2 product, 15-HETE, suggesting a positive feedback mechanism.. Taken together, our results suggest that chronic hypoxia promotes monocyte infiltration into the vasculature and adhesion molecules upregulation in pulmonary arterial endothelium cells via a positive interaction between 15-LO/15-HETE and nuclear factor-κB. Our study revealed a novel mechanism underlying hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial inflammation and suggested new therapeutic strategies targeting 15-LO/15-HETE and nuclear factor-κB in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Arteritis; Cells, Cultured; Chronic Disease; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Male; Monocytes; NF-kappa B; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized with pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling mediated by 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO)/15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) according to our previous studies. Meanwhile, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) activity is highly correlated with vascular injury and remodeling, suggesting that TERT may be an essential determinant in the development of PH. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution and molecular mechanisms of TERT in the pathogenesis of PH.. We measured the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and ventricular weight, analyzed morphometric change of the pulmonary vessels in the hypoxia or monocrotaline treated rats. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, transwell assay and flow cytometry in pulmonary smooth muscle cells were performed to investigate the roles and relationship of TERT and 15-LO/15-HETE in PH. We revealed that the expression of TERT was increased in pulmonary vasculature of patients with PH and in the monocrotaline or hypoxia rat model of PH. The up-regulation of TERT was associated with experimental elevated RVSP and pulmonary vascular remodeling. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments identified TERT as a novel interacting partner of 15-LO-2. TERT and 15-LO-2 augmented protein expression of each other. In addition, the proliferation, migration and cell-cycle transition from G0/G1 phase to S phase induced by hypoxia were inhibited by TERT knockdown, which were rescued by 15-HETE addition.. These results demonstrate that TERT regulates pulmonary vascular remodeling. TERT and 15-LO-2 form a positive feedback loop and together promote proliferation and migration of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, creating a self-amplifying circuit which propels pulmonary hypertension.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Blood Pressure; Cell Cycle; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Feedback, Physiological; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypoxia; Male; Monocrotaline; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Protein Binding; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Signal Transduction; Telomerase

We previously reported that 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) induced by hypoxia catalyzed the conversion of arachidonic acid (AA) into 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), which plays an essential role in the development of hypoxic pulmonary arterial hypertension (HPH). However, the mechanisms by which hypoxia up-regulated 15-LO are still unclear. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an oxygen-dependent enzyme regulating vascular tone and cell proliferation, was implicated in HPH and was promoted by hypoxia. Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine whether hypoxia induced the expression of 15-LO via the HO-1 pathway. To test this hypothesis, we studied the role of HO-1 in HPH and 15-LO/15-HETE expression We found increased right ventricular systolic pressure and pulmonary arteries (PAs) reactivity to vasoconstrictors as well as intima-to-media ratio of PAs in HO-1 overexpressing transgenic mice. Moreover, HO-1 up-regulated 15-LO transcription and translation as well as 15-HETE in both transgenic mice and cultured pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Results from immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemistry showed the interaction and colocalization of HO-1 and 15-LO. Together, these data suggest that HO-1 is an important upstream mediator in the hypoxia-induced 15-LO up-regulation during HPH. Unveiling the relevance of HO-1 signaling in PHP provides attractive treatment targets for HPH.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Cell Growth Processes; Cells, Cultured; Female; Heme Oxygenase-1; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypoxia; Lung; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Rats; RNA, Messenger; Tissue Distribution; Up-Regulation

15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) is known to play an important role in chronic pulmonary hypertension. Accumulating evidence for its down-stream participants in the vasoconstriction and remodeling processes of pulmonary arteries, while how hypoxia regulates 15-LO/15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) to mediate hypoxic pulmonary hypertension is still unknown. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is an important vascular regulator whose concentration increases under hypoxic condition in the lungs of both humans and mice with pulmonary hypertension. The present study was carried out to determine whether hypoxia advances the pulmonary vascular remodeling through the PDGF/15-LO/15-HETE pathway. We found that pulmonary arterial medial thickening caused by hypoxia was alleviated after a treatment of the hypoxic rats with imatinib, which was associated with down-regulations of 15-LO-2 expression and 15-HETE production. Moreover, the increases in cell proliferation and endogenous 15-HETE content by hypoxia were attenuated by the inhibitors of PDGF-β receptor in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). The effects of PDGF-BB on cell proliferation and survival were weakened after the administration of 15-LO inhibitors or 15-LO RNA interference. These results suggest that hypoxia promotes PASMCs proliferation and survival, contributing to pulmonary vascular medial hypertrophy, which is likely to be mediated via the PDGF-BB/15-LO-2/15-HETE pathway.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Becaplermin; Cell Cycle; Cell Cycle Proteins; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Lung; Male; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Signal Transduction; Up-Regulation

We have found that 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) induced by hypoxia was an important mediator in the regulation of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, including the pulmonary vasoconstriction and remodeling. However, the underlying mechanisms of the remodeling induced by 15-HETE are poorly understood. In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry, pulmonary artery endothelial cells migration and tube formation, pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, and cell cycle analysis to determine the role of 15-HETE in hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling. We found that hypoxia induced pulmonary vascular medial hypertrophy and intimal endothelial cells migration and angiogenesis, which were mediated by 15-HETE. Moreover, 15-HETE regulated the cell cycle progression and made more smooth muscle cells from the G(0)/G(1) phase to the G(2)/M+S phase and enhanced the microtubule formation in cell nucleus. In addition, we found that the Rho-kinase pathway was involved in 15-HETE-induced endothelial cells tube formation and migration and smooth muscle cell proliferation. Together, these results show that 15-HETE mediates hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and stimulates angiogenesis via the Rho-kinase pathway.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Cattle; Cell Cycle; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Chick Embryo; Chorioallantoic Membrane; Endothelium, Vascular; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypoxia; Male; Models, Animal; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Wistar; rho-Associated Kinases; Signal Transduction

It has been previously reported by us that hypoxia activates lung 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO), which catalyzes arachidonic acid to 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), leading to the constriction of pulmonary artery (PA). Rho-associated serine/threonine kinase (ROK), a downstream effector of small GTPase RhoA that may be modulated by G-protein and tyrosine kinase, plays an important role in smooth muscle contraction. However, whether the 15-HETE induced PA vasoconstriction involves the Rho/ROK pathway remains to be demonstrated. Therefore, we studied the contribution of ROK as well as G-protein and tyrosine kinase to the 15-HETE induced pulmonary vasoconstriction using PA ring technique, RNA interference technology, RP-HPLC, western blot and RT-PCR combined with the blockers. The hypoxia-induced expression of ROK is regulated by 15-HETE in rat PA smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), leading to vasoconstriction. The up-regulation of ROK expression caused by 15-HETE appears to be mediated by the G-protein and tyrosine kinase pathways. The translocation of ROK2 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm during hypoxia exposure relies on the mechanism for 15-HETE production. These results suggest that 15-HETE may mediate the up-regulation of ROK expression through G-protein and tyrosine kinase pathways under hypoxic condition, leading to PA vasoconstriction.

Topics: Animals; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Male; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Wistar; rho-Associated Kinases; rhoA GTP-Binding Protein; Vasoconstriction

Severe hypoxia induces the constriction of internal carotid arteries (ICA), which worsens ischemic stroke in the brain. A few metabolites are presumably involved in hypoxic vasoconstriction, however, less is known about how such molecules provoke this vasoconstriction. We have investigated the influence of 15-hydroxyeicosatetrienoic acid (15-HETE) produced by 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) on vasoconstriction during hypoxia. As showed in our results, 15-LOX level increases in ICA endothelia and smooth muscles. 15-HETE enhances the tension of ICA ring in a dose-dependent manner, as well as attenuates the activities and expression of voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv 1.5 and Kv 2.1). Therefore, the down-regulation of Kv channels by 15-HETE during hypoxia may weaken the repolarization of action potentials and causes a dominant influx of calcium ions to enhance smooth muscle tension and ICA constriction.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Carotid Arteries; Cells, Cultured; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Down-Regulation; Endothelial Cells; Enzyme Inhibitors; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Membrane Potentials; Muscle, Smooth; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Potassium Channels; Rats; Rats, Wistar; RNA, Messenger; Vasoconstriction

15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE), a product of arachidonic acid (AA) catalyzed by 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX), is an important mediator of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). We have previously reported that 15-HETE-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction occurs via protein kinase C (PKC) pathway, however, the role of PKC isoforms involved in 15-HETE-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction remains poorly understood. To examine the potential role of PKC-δ and PKC-ɛ isoforms that appear to be involved in 15-HETE-induced pulmonary artery (PA) contraction, a combination of immunofluorescence, western blotting, semi-quantitative PCR and functional contractile tension approaches on rat PA rings were utilized. We found that 15-HETE activates the translocation of PKC-δ and PKC-ɛ from the cytoplasm to the membranes of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). However, the alteration was significantly reversed by nordihydroguairetic acid (NDGA), a 15-LOX inhibitor which blocked the formation of endogenous 15-HETE. Both endogenous and exogenous 15-HETE enhanced the expression of PKC-δ and PKC-ɛ in PASMCs exposure to hypoxia. The PKC inhibitor Gö6983 and rottlerin (PKC-δ selective), and the inhibitor selective for PKC-ɛ peptide significantly attenuated constriction effect of 15-HETE on isolated PA rings of rats maintained for 9 days in hypoxic environments (FiO(2)=0.12) compared with siblings rats under normoxia. Thus, these findings indicate that PKC-δ and PKC-ɛ contributing to hypoxic pulmonary artery contraction elicited by 15-HETE.

Topics: Animals; Cell Membrane; Cytoplasm; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Intracellular Space; Male; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Protein Kinase C-delta; Protein Kinase C-epsilon; Protein Kinase Inhibitors; Protein Transport; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Wistar; RNA, Messenger; Vasoconstriction

We have previously reported that hypoxia activates lung 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX), which catalyzes arachidonic acid to produce 15-HETE, leading to constriction of neonatal rabbit pulmonary arteries. Hypoxia suppresses Kv2.1 channel expression. Although the Kv channel inhibition by hypoxia is likely to be mediated through 15-HETE, direct evidence is still lacking. To explore whether 15-LOX/15-HETE pathway contributes to the hypoxia-induced down-regulation of Kv2.1 channel, we performed studies using 15-LOX blockers, semi-quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. We found that Kv2.1 channel expression at the mRNA and protein levels was greatly up-regulated in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and pulmonary artery (PA) after blockade of endogenous 15-HETE under hypoxic condition. 15-HETE further decreased Kv2.1 channel expression in comparison with 12-HETE and 5-HETE in cultured PASMCs and PA under normoxic conditions. These data indicate that hypoxia suppresses Kv2.1 channel expression through endogenous 15-HETE in PA.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Cell Hypoxia; Cells, Cultured; Down-Regulation; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Male; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Oxygen; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Shab Potassium Channels; Up-Regulation; Vasoconstriction

15-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) is an important hypoxic product from arachidonic acid (AA) in the wall of pulmonary vessels. Although its effects on pulmonary artery constriction are well known, it remains unclear whether 15-HETE acts on the apoptotic responses in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and whether K(+) channels participate in this process. These hypothesises were validated by cell viability assay, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling, mitochondrial potentials assay, caspase activity assay and western blot. We found that 15-HETE enhanced cell survival, suppressed the expression and activity of caspase-3, upregulated bcl-2 and attenuated mitochondrial depolarization, prevented chromatin condensation and partly reversed K(+) channel opener-induced apoptosis in PASMCs under serum-deprived conditions. Our data indicated that 15-HETE inhibits the apoptosis in PASMCs through, at least in part, inactivating K(+) channels.

Topics: Apoptosis; Arachidonic Acid; Caspase 3; Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Mitochondria; Models, Biological; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Potassium; Potassium Channels; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; Pulmonary Artery; Tetrazolium Salts; Thiazoles

We have previously reported that subacute hypoxia activates lung 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX), which catalyzes arachidonic acid to produce 15-HETE, leading to constriction of neonatal rabbit pulmonary arteries. Subacute hypoxia suppresses Kv3.4 channel expression and results in an inhibition of whole-cell K(+) currents (I(K)). Although the Kv channel inhibition is likely to be mediated through 15-HETE, direct evidence is still lacking. To reveal the role of the 15-LOX/15-HETE pathway in the hypoxia-induced down-regulation of Kv3.4 channel expression and inhibition of I(K), we performed studies using 15-LOX blockers, whole-cell patch-clamp, semi-quantitative PCR, ELISA and Western blot analysis. We found that Kv3.4 channel expression at the mRNA and protein levels was greatly up-regulated in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells after blockade of 15-LOX by CDC or NDGA. The 15-LOX blockade also partially restored I(K). In comparison, 15-HETE had a stronger effect than 12-HETE on the expression of Kv3.4 channels. 5-HETE had no noticeable effect on Kv3.4 channel expression. These data indicate that the 15-LOX pathway via its metabolite, 15-HETE, seems to play a role in the down-regulation of Kv3.4 expression and I(K) inhibition after subacute hypoxia.

Topics: Animals; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Blotting, Western; Calcium; Cell Separation; Cells, Cultured; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Indicators and Reagents; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Patch-Clamp Techniques; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger; Shaw Potassium Channels

To examine for the expression of 15-lipoxygenase 1 (15-LOX1) and 15-LOX2 in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMVECs) and study the role of arachidonic acid metabolites of these enzymes in angiogenesis.. Quantitative RT-PCR and reverse-phase HPLC analyses were used to determine 15-LOX1/2 expression and their arachidonic acid metabolites in HRMVECs. The role of MEK1 in 15(S)-HETE-induced angiogenesis was studied using HRMVEC migration, tube formation, and basement membrane matrix plug angiogenesis.. HRMVECs expressed both 15-LOX1 and 15-LOX2. Hypoxia induced the expression of 15-LOX1 and the production of its arachidonic acid metabolites 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15(S)-HETE) and 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE). 15(S)-HETE stimulated HRMVEC migration and tube formation as potently as 20 ng/mL fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). In addition, 15(S)-HETE stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK1, p38 MAPK, and MEK1 in a time-dependent manner in these cells. Inhibition of MEK1 by pharmacologic and dominant-negative mutant approaches attenuated 15(S)-HETE-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK1 but not p38 MAPK. Blockade of ERK1/2 and JNK1 activation suppressed 15(S)-HETE-induced HRMVEC migration and tube formation and basement membrane matrix plug angiogenesis. Inhibition of p38 MAPK attenuated 15(S)-HETE-induced HRMVEC migration only. Inhibition of MEK1 also blocked 15(S)-HETE-induced HRMVEC migration and tube formation and basement membrane matrix plug angiogenesis.. These results suggest that hypoxia, through the induction of 15-LOX1 expression, leads to the production of 15(S)-HETE in HRMVECs. In addition, 15(S)-HETE, through MEK1-dependent activation of ERK1/2 and JNK1, stimulates the angiogenic differentiation of HRMVECs and basement membrane matrix plug angiogenesis.

Topics: Adenoviridae; Arachidonate 15-Lipoxygenase; Basement Membrane; Cell Movement; Cells, Cultured; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Endothelium, Vascular; Enzyme Inhibitors; Genetic Vectors; Humans; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; MAP Kinase Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Phosphorylation; Retinal Neovascularization; Retinal Vessels; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; Time Factors

We have reported that hypoxia increases the activation of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO), which converts arachidonic acid (AA) into 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) in small pulmonary arteries (PAs). Through inhibition of Kv channels, 15-HETE causes more robust concentration-dependent contraction of PA rings from the hypoxic compared to the normoxic controls. However, the subtypes of Kv channels inhibited by 15-HETE are incompletely understood. The aim of the present study was to identify the contribution of Kv3.4 channel in the process of pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by 15-HETE using the tension studies of PA rings from rat with Kv3.4 channel blocker in tissue bath; to explore the role of vascular endothelium in15-HETE-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction through denuded endothelia of PA rings; and to define the downregulation of 15-HETE on the expression of Kv3.4 channel in cultured pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) with RT-PCR and Western blot. In the present study, healthy Wistar rats were divided randomly into two groups: Group A with normal oxygen supply and group B with hypoxia. Six days later, the rats were killed. Pulmonary artery rings were prepared for organ bath experiments. Firstly, different concentrations of 15-HETE (10~1 000 nmol/L) were added to the Krebs solution. The isometric tension was recorded using a four-channel force-displacement transducer. Then Kv3.4 channel blocker, 100 nmol/L BDS-I, was added, followed by adding 1 mumol/L 15-HETE, and the isometric tension was recorded. Furthermore, RT-PCR and Western blot were employed to identify the influence of 15-HETE on the expression of Kv3.4 channel in cultured rat PASMCs.The results showed the PA tension was significantly increased both in groups A and B by 15-HETE in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05), especially in group B (P<0.05 compared to control); denuded endothelia enhanced 15-HETE concentration-related constrictions in rat PA rings; Kv3.4 channel blocker, BDS-I, significantly decreased the PA ring constriction induced by 15-HETE (P<0.05); the expressions of Kv3.4 mRNA and protein in rat PASMCs were significantly downregulated by 15-HETE (P<0.05). Based on all the information above, we conclude that Kv3.4 channel is involved in vasoconstriction induced by 15-HETE in rat PAs.

Topics: Animals; Cells, Cultured; Female; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypertension, Pulmonary; Hypoxia; Male; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Wistar; RNA, Messenger; Shaw Potassium Channels; Vasoconstriction

To observe the effect of subtypes of Kv channels in rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) on the process of pulmonary vasoconstriction induced by 15-HETE.. In the present study, ring of rabbit PA with specific Kv channel blockers were employed to functionally identify certain channel subtypes that took part in the process of 15-HETE induced pulmonary vasoconstriction; RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis were also used to measure the expression of subtypes of Kv in PASMCs exposed to 15-HETE,chronic hypoxia.. Blocking of Kv1. 1, Kv1. 2, Kv1. 3 and Kv1. 6 channels did not affect 15-HETE induced vasoconstriction in normoxic rats; 15-HETE did not affect expression of Kv1. 1 and Kv1. 2 channels; 15-HETE significantly downregulated the expression of mRNA and protein of Kv1. 5 and Kv2. 1 in rat PASMCs.. The results suggested that hypoxia may block Kv1. 5 and Kv2. 1 channels via 15-HETE mediated mechanism, leading to decrease numbers of functional Kv1. 5 and Kv2. 1 channels in PASMCs, leading to PA vasoconstriction.

Topics: Animals; Cell Hypoxia; Cells, Cultured; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Kv1.5 Potassium Channel; Male; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Wistar; RNA, Messenger; Shab Potassium Channels; Vasoconstriction

We have reported that 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) induces pulmonary artery (PA) contraction in rats exposed to hypoxia by activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2). In this study, we investigated the characteristics of 15-HETE mediating phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and caldesmon in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Our data showed that 15-HETE upregulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner, which could be blocked by ERK pathway inhibitors U0126 and PD98059. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was attenuated by inhibiting endogenous 15-HETE formation with lipoxygenase inhibitor, cinnamyl 3,4-dihydroxy-[alpha]-cyanocinnamate (CDC), in both normoxic and hypoxic PASMCs. ERK1/2 phosphorylation in response to 15-HETE was detected in cytosol as well as in nucleus and phosphorylatd ERK1/2 partly translocated into nucleus, which could be blocked by PD98059. In addition, caldesmon was phosphorylated in 15-HETE-stimulated cells; this could be inhibited by PD98059. These data demonstrated that 15-HETE is associated with ERK1/2 activation and caldesmon phosphorylation in PASMCs and that 15-HETE is at least partly involved in mediating activation of hypoxia-initiated ERK pathway, possibly leading to hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Topics: Animals; Blotting, Western; Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; Cell Nucleus; Cytosol; Enzyme Inhibitors; Flavonoids; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Immunohistochemistry; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Phosphorylation; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Stimulation, Chemical; Subcellular Fractions

Hypoxia-induced 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) is an essential mediator to constrict pulmonary arteries (PA). The signaling pathway involved in 15-HETE-induced PA vasoconstriction remains obscure. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that hypoxic PA constriction induced by 15-HETE was possibly regulated by the extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway. PA ring tension measurement, Western blot and immunocytochemistry were used in the study to determine the possible role of ERK1/2 in 15-HETE-induced PA vasoconstriction. The organ bath for PA rings tension study was employed. Adult male Wistar rats were raised in hypoxic environment with fractional inspired oxygen (FIO2, 0.12) for 9 d. PA 1~1.5 mm in diameter were dissected and cut into 3 mm long rings for tension study. ERK1/2 up-stream kinase (MEK) inhibitor PD98059, which blocks the activation of ERK1/2, was used. The results showed that pretreatment of PD98059 significantly blunted 15-HETE-induced PA vasoconstrictions in the rings from hypoxic rat. Moreover, in endothelium-denuded rings, PD98059 also significantly attenuated 15-HETE-induced vasoconstriction. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) of rat was enhanced evidently when stimulated by 15-HETE. Thus, the data suggest that ERK1/2 signaling pathway is involved in 15-HETE-induced hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

Topics: Animals; Flavonoids; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Male; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle; Pulmonary Artery; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Vasoconstriction

It was shown that 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) but not 15-H(P)ETE or 5-HETE is a potent agonist for secretion of glycoprotein-containing mucus from the in vivo canine trachea. Given by aerosol into the lungs or by intra-arterial injection into the trachea, 15 HETE also caused the chemotaxis of inflammatory cells into the lumen of the airways. Accompanying this inflammatory cell infiltrate was an increase (183%, p less than 0.05) of expiration of fluid in the partially saturated air coming from the lung. The levels of 15-HETE extracted from tracheal mucus correlated well with hillocks and weight of secreted mucus found in the mucus after hypoxia or after arachidonic acid loading. Indomethacin and atropine blocked the mucus secretagogue effect of 15-HETE in the trachea. Indomethacin and U-52, 412 (a 15-lipoxygenase inhibitor) pretreatment abolished a portion of the 15-HETE-induced enhancement of mucus weight and 15-HETE level in the secretion.

Topics: Aerosols; Animals; Arachidonic Acid; Arachidonic Acids; Body Fluids; Cell Movement; Chemotaxis; Dogs; Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acids; Hypoxia; Inflammation; Leukotrienes; Lipid Peroxides; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Mucus; Respiration; Respiratory System; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Trachea