Alejandra San Martín

Biochemistry, Physiology and Pathophysiology of NADPH Oxidases in the Cardiovascular System

atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling, angiogenesis and collateral formation, stroke, and heart failure. In this review, we discuss in detail the biochemistry of Nox enzymes expressed in the cardiovascular system (Nox1, 2, 4, and 5), their roles in cardiovascular cell biology, and their contributions to disease development.

Nox1 Overexpression Potentiates Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension and Vascular Smooth Muscle Hypertrophy in Transgenic Mice

Background— Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the development of cardiovascular pathologies. NAD(P)H oxidases (Noxes) are major sources of reactive oxygen species in the vessel wall, but the importance of individual Nox homologues in specific layers of the vascular wall is unclear. Nox1 upregulation has been implicated in cardiovascular pathologies such as hypertension and restenosis. Methods and Results— To investigate the pathological role of Nox1 upregulation in vascular smooth muscle, transgenic mice overexpressing Nox1 in smooth muscle cells (TgSMCnox1) were created, and the impact of Nox1 upregulation on the medial hypertrophic response during angiotensin II (Ang II)–induced hypertension was studied. These mice have increased expression of Nox1 protein in the vasculature, which is accompanied by increased superoxide production. Infusion of Ang II (0.7 mg/kg per day) into these mice for 2 weeks led to a potentiation of superoxide production compared with similarly treated negative littermate controls. Systolic blood pressure and aortic hypertrophy were also markedly greater in TgSMCnox1 mice than in their littermate controls. To confirm that this potentiation of vascular hypertrophy and hypertension was due to increased ROS formation, additional groups of mice were coinfused with the antioxidant Tempol. Tempol decreased the level of Ang II-induced aortic superoxide production and partially reversed the hypertrophic and hypertensive responses in these animals. Conclusions— These data indicate that smooth muscle-specific Nox1 overexpression augments the oxidative, pressor, and hypertrophic responses to Ang II, supporting the concept that medial Nox1 participates in the development of cardiovascular pathologies.

Mechanisms of Vascular Smooth Muscle NADPH Oxidase 1 (Nox1) Contribution to Injury-Induced Neointimal Formation

Objective—Vascular NADPH oxidases (Noxes) have been implicated in cardiovascular diseases; however, the importance of individual Nox homologues remains unclear. Here, the role of the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) Nox1 in neointima formation was studied using genetically modified animal models. Methods and Results—Wire injury–induced neointima formation in the femoral artery, along with proliferation and apoptosis, was reduced in Nox1y/− mice, but there was little difference in TgSMCnox1 mice compared with wild-type (WT) mice. Proliferation and migration were reduced in cultured Nox1y/− VSMCs and increased in TgSMCnox1 cells. TgSMCnox1 cells exhibited increased fibronectin secretion, but neither collagen I production nor cell adhesion was affected by alteration of Nox1. Using antibody microarray and Western blotting analysis, increased cofilin phosphorylation and mDia1 expression and decreased PAK1 expression were detected in Nox1y/− cells. Overexpression of S3A, a constitutively active cofilin mutant, partially recovered reduced migration of Nox1y/− cells, suggesting that reduction in cofilin activity contributes to impaired migration of Nox1y/− VSMCs. Conclusions—These results indicate that Nox1 plays a critical role in neointima formation by mediating VSMC migration, proliferation, and extracellular matrix production, and that cofilin is a major effector of Nox1-mediated migration. Inhibition of Nox1 may be an efficient strategy to suppress neointimal formation.

NADPH oxidase 4 mediates TGF-β-induced smooth muscle α-actin via p38MAPK and serum response factor

In contrast to other cell types, vascular smooth muscle cells modify their phenotype in response to external signals. NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4) is critical for maintenance of smooth muscle gene expression; however, the underlying mechanisms are incompletely characterized. Using smooth muscle α-actin (SMA) as a prototypical smooth muscle gene and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) as a differentiating agent, we examined Nox4-dependent signaling. TGF-β increases Nox4 expression and activity in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC). Transfection of HASMC with siRNA against Nox4 (siNox4) abolishes TGF-β-induced SMA expression and stress fiber formation. siNox4 also significantly inhibits TGF-β-stimulated p38MAPK phosphorylation, as well as that of its substrate, mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase-2. Moreover, the p38MAPK inhibitor SB-203580 nearly completely blocks the SMA increase induced by TGF-β. Inhibition of either p38MAPK or NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species impairs the TGF-β-induced phosphorylation of Ser103 on serum response factor (SRF) and reduces its transcriptional activity. Binding of SRF to myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) is also necessary, because downregulation of MRTF by siRNA abolishes TGF-β-induced SMA expression. Taken together, these data suggest that Nox4 regulates SMA expression via activation of a p38MAPK/SRF/MRTF pathway in response to TGF-β.

Redox Control of Vascular Smooth Muscle Migration

Vascular smooth muscle cell migration is important during vascular development and contributes to lesion formation in the adult vasculature. The mechanisms regulating migration of this cell type are therefore of great interest. Recent work has shown that reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from NADPH oxidases are important mediators of promigratory signaling pathways. ROS regulate the intracellular signals responsible for lamellipodia formation, actin cytoskeleton remodeling, focal adhesion turnover, and contraction of the cell body. In addition, they contribute to matrix remodeling, a critical step to initiate and support vascular smooth muscle cell motility. Despite these recent advances in our understanding of the redox mechanisms that contribute to migration, additional work is needed to evaluate fully the potential of ROS-sensitive molecular signals as therapeutic targets to prevent inappropriate smooth muscle cell migration.

Dual Regulation of Cofilin Activity by LIM Kinase and Slingshot-1L Phosphatase Controls Platelet-Derived Growth Factor–Induced Migration of Human Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays a central role in vascular healing, atherosclerosis, and restenosis, partly by stimulating vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration. Migration requires rapid turnover of actin filaments, which is partially controlled by cofilin. Although cofilin is negatively regulated by Ser3 phosphorylation, the upstream signaling pathways have not been defined, nor has its role in VSMC migration been studied. We hypothesized that PDGF-induced migration of VSMCs involves cofilin activation and that this is regulated by the serine kinase LIM kinase (LIMK) and the novel phosphatase Slingshot (SSH)1L. In human VSMCs, stimulation with PDGF increased G-actin incorporation into the actin cytoskeleton. PDGF transiently activated the cofilin kinase, LIMK, with a peak at 5 minutes. However, cofilin was dephosphorylated between 5 and 45 minutes, with a maximum of 43±5% dephosphorylation at 30 minutes, suggesting that PDGF also activates a cofilin phosphatase. We found that VSMCs express SSH1L, which is induced and activated (564±73 versus 1021±141 picomoles of PO4; P=0.015) by PDGF. Of importance, small interfering RNA directed against SSH1L blocked cofilin dephosphorylation and decreased migration (528±33 versus 318±25 cells/field; P<0.01). Taken together, our results suggest that PDGF participates in actin dynamics by dual regulation of cofilin activity via LIMK and SSH1L.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor Expression Masks the Antiinflammatory and Glucose Uptake Capacity of Insulin in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Objective—Insulin resistance of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has been linked to accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes; however, the effects of insulin on VSMCs remain controversial. Most VSMC insulin receptors are sequestered into insulin-insensitive hybrids with insulin-like growth factor-1 receptors (IGF1Rs). Thus we hypothesized that regulation of IGF1R expression may impact cellular insulin sensitivity. Methods and Results—IGF1R expression was increased in aortas from diabetic mice. IGF1R overexpression in VSMCs impaired insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation. Conversely, IGF1R downregulation by siRNA allowed assembly of insulin holoreceptors, enhanced insulin-induced phosphorylation of its receptor, Akt, Erk1/2, and further augmented insulin-induced glucose uptake. IGF1R downregulation uncovered an insulin-induced reduction in activation of NF-&kgr;B and inhibition of MCP-1 upregulation in response to TNF-α. Conclusions—Downregulation of IGF1R increases the fraction of insulin receptors organized in holoreceptors, which leads to enhanced insulin signaling and unmasks potential antiinflammatory properties of insulin in VSMCs. Therefore, IGF1R, which is susceptible to feedback regulation by its own ligand, may represent a novel target for interventions designed to treat insulin resistance in the vasculature.

Early Endosomal Antigen 1 (EEA1) Is an Obligate Scaffold for Angiotensin II-induced, PKC-α-dependent Akt Activation in Endosomes

Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) activation/phosphorylation by angiotensin II (Ang II) is a critical signaling event in hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Conventional wisdom asserts that Akt activation occurs mainly in plasma membrane domains. Recent evidence that Akt activation may take place within intracellular compartments challenges this dogma. The spatial identity and mechanistic features of these putative signaling domains have not been defined. Using cell fractionation and fluorescence methods, we demonstrate that the early endosomal antigen-1 (EEA1)-positive endosomes are a major site of Ang II-induced Akt activation. Akt moves to and is activated in EEA1 endosomes. The expression of EEA1 is required for phosphorylation of Akt at both Thr-308 and Ser-473 as well as for phosphorylation of its downstream targets mTOR and S6 kinase, but not for Erk1/2 activation. Both Akt and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) interact with EEA1. We also found that PKC-α is required for organizing Ang II-induced, EEA1-dependent Akt phosphorylation in VSMC early endosomes. EEA1 expression enables PKC-α phosphorylation, which in turn regulates Akt upstream signaling kinases, PDK1 and p38 MAPK. Our results indicate that PKC-α is a necessary regulator of EEA1-dependent Akt signaling in early endosomes. Finally, EEA1 down-regulation or expression of a dominant negative mutant of PKC-α blunts Ang II-induced leucine incorporation in VSMCs. Thus, EEA1 serves a novel function as an obligate scaffold for Ang II-induced Akt activation in early endosomes.

Platelet-derived Growth Factor (PDGF) Regulates Slingshot Phosphatase Activity via Nox1-dependent Auto-dephosphorylation of Serine 834 in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Background: PDGF-induced migration in VSMCs requires Slingshot (SSH1L) phosphatase activity. Results: We found SSH1L_Ser834 auto-dephosphorylation disrupts a SSH1L/14-3-3 complex and increases PDGF-induced SSH1L activity in wild type but not in Nox1-/y cells. Conclusion: PDGF activates SSH1L in VSMC by a mechanism that involves Nox1-mediated oxidation of 14-3-3 and Ser834-SSH1L auto-dephosphorylation. Significance: We establish the PDGF-induced SSH1L activation mechanism, required for VSMC migration. Migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) contributes to vascular pathology. PDGF induces VSMC migration by a Nox1-based NADPH oxidase mediated mechanism. We have previously shown that PDGF-induced migration in VSMCs requires Slingshot-1L (SSH1L) phosphatase activity. In the present work, the mechanism of SSH1L activation by PDGF is further investigated. We identified a 14-3-3 consensus binding motif encompassing Ser-834 in SSH1L that is constitutively phosphorylated. PDGF induces SSH1L auto-dephosphorylation at Ser-834 in wild type (wt), but not in Nox1−/y cells. A SSH1L-S834A phospho-deficient mutant has significantly lower binding capacity for 14-3-3 when compared with the phospho-mimetic SSH1L-S834D mutant, and acts as a constitutively active phosphatase, lacking of PDGF-mediated regulation. Given that Nox1 produces reactive oxygen species, we evaluated their participation in this SSH1L activation mechanism. We found that H2O2 activates SSH1L and this is accompanied by SSH1L/14-3-3 complex disruption and 14-3-3 oxidation in wt, but not in Nox1−/y cells. Together, these data demonstrate that PDGF activates SSH1L in VSMC by a mechanism that involves Nox1-mediated oxidation of 14-3-3 and Ser-834 SSH1L auto-dephosphorylation.

Role of Coronin 1B in PDGF-Induced Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Rationale: The type I subclass of coronins, a family of actin-binding proteins, regulates various actin-dependent cellular processes, including migration. However, the existence and role of coronins in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) migration has yet to be determined. Objective: The goal of the present study was to define the mechanism by which coronins regulate platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)–induced VSMC migration. Methods and Results: Coronin 1B (Coro1B) and 1C (Coro1C) were both found to be expressed in VSMCs at the mRNA and protein levels. Downregulation of Coro1B by siRNA increases PDGF-induced migration, while downregulation of Coro1C has no effect. We confirmed through kymograph analysis that the Coro1B-downregulation-mediated increase in migration is directly linked to increased lamellipodial protraction rate and protrusion distance in VSMC. In other cell types, coronins exert their effects on lamellipodia dynamics by an inhibitory interaction with the ARP2/3 complex, which is disrupted by the phosphorylation of Coro1B. We found that PDGF induces phosphorylation of Coro1B on serine-2 via PKC[Latin Small Letter Open E], leading to a decrease in the interaction of Coro1B with the ARP2/3 complex. VSMCs transfected with a phosphodeficient S2A Coro1B mutant showed decreased migration in response to PDGF, suggesting that the phosphorylation of Coro1B is required for the promotion of migration by PDGF. In both the rat and mouse, Coro1B phosphorylation was increased in response to vessel injury in vivo. Conclusions: Our data suggest that phosphorylation of Coro1B and the subsequent reduced interaction with ARP2/3·complex participate in PDGF-induced VSMC migration, an important step in vascular lesion formation.