Fariborz A. Yaghini

Angiotensin II–Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Growth Are Mediated by Cytochrome P450 1B1–Dependent Superoxide Generation

Cytochrome P450 1B1, expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, can metabolize arachidonic acid in vitro into several products including 12- and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids that stimulate vascular smooth muscle cell growth. This study was conducted to determine whether cytochrome P450 1B1 contributes to angiotensin II–induced rat aortic smooth muscle cell migration, proliferation, and protein synthesis. Angiotensin II stimulated migration of these cells, measured by the wound healing approach, by 1.78-fold; and DNA synthesis, measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation, by 1.44-fold after 24 hours; and protein synthesis, measured by [3H]leucine incorporation, by 1.40-fold after 48 hours. Treatment of vascular smooth muscle cells with the cytochrome P450 1B1 inhibitor 2,4,3′,5′-tetramethoxystilbene or transduction of these cells with adenovirus cytochrome P450 1B1 small hairpin RNA but not its scrambled control reduced the activity of this enzyme and abolished angiotensin II– and arachidonic acid–induced cell migration, as well as [3H]thymidine and [3H]leucine incorporation. Metabolism of arachidonic acid to 5-, 12-, 15-, and 20-hydoxyeicosatetraenoic acids in these cells was not altered, but angiotensin II– and arachidonic acid–induced reactive oxygen species production and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activity were inhibited by 2,4,3′,5′-tetramethoxystilbene and cytochrome P450 1B1 small hairpin RNA (shRNA) and by Tempol, which inactivates reactive oxygen species. Tempol did not alter cytochrome P450 1B1 activity. These data suggest that angiotensin II–induced vascular smooth muscle cell migration and growth are mediated by reactive oxygen species generated from arachidonic acid by cytochrome P450 1B1 and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Angiotensin II-induced migration of vascular smooth muscle cells is mediated by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated c-Src through spleen tyrosine kinase and epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) stimulates protein synthesis by activating spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) and DNA synthesis through epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). This study was conducted to determine whether Syk mediates Ang II-induced migration of aortic VSMCs using a scratch wound approach. Treatment with Ang II (200 nM) for 24 h increased VSMC migration by 1.56 ± 0.14-fold. Ang II-induced VSMC migration and Syk phosphorylation as determined by Western blot analysis were minimized by the Syk inhibitor piceatannol (10 μM) and by transfecting VSMCs with dominant-negative but not wild-type Syk plasmid. Ang II-induced VSMC migration and Syk phosphorylation were attenuated by inhibitors of c-Src [4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2)], p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) [4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H-imidazole (SB202190)], and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 [1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis(2-aminophenylthio) butadiene (U0126)]. SB202190 attenuated p38 MAPK and c-Src but not ERK1/2 phosphorylation, indicating that p38 MAPK acts upstream of c-Src and Syk. The c-Src inhibitor PP2 attenuated Syk and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, suggesting that c-Src acts upstream of Syk and ERK1/2. Ang II- and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced VSMC migration and EGFR phosphorylation were inhibited by the EGFR blocker 4-(3-chloroanilino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (AG1478) (2 μM). Neither the Syk inhibitor piceatannol nor the dominant-negative Syk mutant altered EGF-induced cell migration or Ang II- and EGF-induced EGFR phosphorylation. The c-Src inhibitor PP2, dominant negative mutant of Src or Src small interfering RNA did not alter EGF-induced VSMC migration and EGFR, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. The ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 (10 μM) attenuated EGF-induced cell migration and ERK1/2 but not EGFR phosphorylation. These data suggest that Ang II stimulates VSMC migration via p38 MAPK-activated c-Src through Syk and via EGFR transactivation through ERK1/2 and partly through p38 MAPK.

Cytochrome P450 1B1 Contributes to Renal Dysfunction and Damage Caused by Angiotensin II in Mice

Cytochrome P450 1B1 contributes to the development of angiotensin II–induced hypertension and associated cardiovascular pathophysiology. In view of the critical role of angiotensin II in the kidney, as well as in salt and water homeostasis, and blood pressure regulation, we determined the contribution of cytochrome P450 1B1 to renal dysfunction and injury associated with angiotensin II–induced hypertension in male Cyp1b1+/+ and Cyp1b1−/− mice. Angiotensin II infusion (700 ng/kg per minute) given by miniosmotic pumps for 13 and 28 days increased systolic blood pressure in Cyp1b1+/+ mice; this increase was significantly reduced in Cyp1b1−/− mice. Angiotensin II increased renal Cyp1b1 activity, vascular resistance, and reactivity to vasoconstrictor agents and caused endothelial dysfunction in Cyp1b1+/+ but not Cyp1b1−/− mice. Angiotensin II increased water consumption and urine output, decreased urine osmolality, increased urinary Na+ and K+ excretion, and caused proteinuria and albuminuria in Cyp1b1+/+ mice that was diminished in Cyp1b1−/− mice. Infusion of angiotensin II for 28 but not 13 days caused renal fibrosis, tubular damage, and inflammation in Cyp1b1+/+ mice, which was minimized in Cyp1b1−/− mice. Angiotensin II increased levels of 12- and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids; reactive oxygen species; and activity of NADPH oxidase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and c-Src in the kidneys of Cyp1b1+/+ but not Cyp1b1−/− mice. These data suggest that increased thirst, renal dysfunction, and injury and inflammation associated with angiotensin II–induced hypertension in mice depend on cytochrome P450 1B1 activity, thus indicating that cytochrome P450 1B1 could serve as a novel target for treating renal disease and hypertension.

CaM kinase IIalpha mediates norepinephrine-induced translocation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 to the nuclear envelope.

Several growth factors, hormones and neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, increase cellular calcium levels, promoting the translocation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 to the nuclear envelope. This study was conducted to investigate the contributions of the calcium-binding protein calmodulin and of calcium—calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II to cytosolic phospholipase A2 translocation to the nuclear envelope elicited by norepinephrine in rabbit aortic smooth-muscle cells. Norepinephrine caused cytosolic phospholipase A2 accumulation around the nuclear envelope as determined from its immunofluorescence; cytosolic phospholipase A2 translocation was blocked by inhibitors of calmodulin and calcium—calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II or calcium—calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα antisense oligonucleotide. Calmodulin and calcium—calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitors did not prevent cytosolic calcium increase but attenuated cytosolic phospholipase A2 phosphorylation caused by norepinephrine or ionomycin. In vascular smooth-muscle cells reversibly permeabilized with β -escin and treated with alkaline phosphatase, norepinephrine failed to cause cytosolic phospholipase A2 phosphorylation and translocation to the nuclear envelope; these effects of norepinephrine were minimized by the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. Recombinant cytosolic phospholipase A2 phosphorylated by purified calcium—calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, but not unphosphorylated or dephosphorylated cytosolic phospholipase A2, introduced into permeabilized vascular smooth-muscle cells in the absence of calcium accumulated around the nuclear envelope. These data suggest that norepinephrine-induced translocation of cytosolic phospholipase A2 to the nuclear envelope is mediated by its phosphorylation by calcium—calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and that calcium alone is insufficient for cytosolic phospholipase A2 translocation to the nuclear envelope in rabbit vascular smooth-muscle cells.

Expression and mechanism of spleen tyrosine kinase activation by angiotensin II and its implication in protein synthesis in rat vascular smooth muscle cells

Syk, a 72-kDa tyrosine kinase, is involved in development, differentiation, and signal transduction of hematopoietic and some non-hematopoietic cells. This study determined if Syk is expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and contributes to angiotensin II (Ang II) signaling and protein synthesis. Syk was found in VSMC and was phosphorylated by Ang II through AT1 receptor. Ang II-induced Syk phosphorylation was inhibited by piceatannol and dominant negative but not wild type Syk mutant. Syk phosphorylation by Ang II was attenuated by cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) inhibitor pyrrolidine-1 and retrovirus carrying small interfering RNAs (shRNAs) of this enzyme. Arachidonic acid (AA) increased Syk phosphorylation, and AA- and Ang II-induced phosphorylation was diminished by inhibitors of AA metabolism (5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid) and lipoxygenase (LO; baicalein) but not cyclooxygenase (indomethacin). AA metabolites formed via LO, 5(S)-, 12(S)-, and 15(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids, which activate p38 MAPK, increased Syk phosphorylation. p38 MAPK inhibitor SB202190, and dominant negative p38 MAPK mutant attenuated Ang II- and AA-induced Syk phosphorylation. Adenovirus dominant negative c-Src mutant abolished Ang II - and AA-induced Syk phosphorylation and SB202190, and dominant negative p38 MAPK mutant inhibited Ang II-induced c-Src phosphorylation. Syk dominant negative mutant but not epidermal growth factor receptor blocker AG1478 also inhibited Ang II-induced VSMC protein synthesis. These data suggest that Syk expressed in VSMC is activated by Ang II through p38 MAPK-activated c-Src subsequent to cytosolic phospholipase A2 and generation of AA metabolites via LO, and it mediates Ang II-induced protein synthesis independent of epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation (Ang II → cPLA2 → AA metabolites of LO → p38 MAPK → c-Src → Syk → protein synthesis).

Contribution of Arachidonic Acid Metabolites Derived Via Cytochrome P4504A to Angiotensin II–Induced Neointimal Growth

Angiotensin II and the arachidonic acid metabolite derived via cytochrome P450 20-hydroxyeicostetraenoic acid promote vasoconstriction and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. This study was conducted to determine if 20-hydroxyeicostetraenoic acid contributes to angiotensin II-induced neointimal formation in balloon-injured rat carotid artery. In anesthetized rats, the drugs were infused into the clamped segment of the injured right common carotid artery for 60 minutes. The drug solution and catheter were withdrawn, the common carotid artery was ligated, and blood flow was restored. Exposure of the injured artery to angiotensin II (200 nmol/L) or arachidonic acid (10 &mgr;mol/L) increased neointimal thickening at day 14 (intima/media ratio 0.71±0.14 with vehicle versus 1.65±0.10 with angiotensin II or 1.31±0.13 with arachidonic acid; P<0.05). Cytochrome P450 4A1 antisense, but not scrambled, oligodeoxynucleotide (100 nmol/L) reduced angiotensin II-induced or arachidonic acid-induced neointimal thickening (intima/media ratio 0.90±0.07 for angiotensin II and 0.95±0.06 for arachidonic acid). 20-hydroxyeicostetraenoic acid (0.5 &mgr;mol/L) also increased neointimal thickening of injured artery (intima/media ratio 1.15±0.03); this was not altered by cytochrome P450 4A1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. Angiotensin II, arachidonic acid, and 20-hydroxyeicostetraenoic acid also induced the expression of cytochrome P450 4A and increased the number of CD45-positive cells; the latter effect of angiotensin II and arachidonic acid, but not 20-hydroxyeicostetraenoic acid, was diminished by cytochrome P450 4A1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. These data suggest that arachidonic acid metabolites derived via cytochrome P450 4A, most likely 20-hydroxyeicostetraenoic acid, mediate angiotensin II-induced neointimal thickening in injured rat carotid artery.

Angiotensin II-induced process of angiogenesis is mediated by spleen tyrosine kinase via VEGF receptor-1 phosphorylation

Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), expressed in endothelial cells, has been implicated in migration and proliferation and in vasculogenesis. This study was conducted to determine the contribution of Syk and the underlying mechanism to the angiogenic effect of ANG II and VEGF. Angiogenesis was determined by tube formation from the endothelial cell line EA.hy926 (EA) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and microvessel sprouting in rat aortic rings. ANG II (10 nM), EGF (30 ng/ml), and VEGF (50 ng/ml) stimulated EA cells and HUVECs to form tubular networks and increased aortic sprouting; these effects were blocked by VEGF receptor-1 and Flt-1 antibody (Flt-1/Fc) but not by the VEGF receptor-2 (Flk-1) antagonist SU-1498. ANG II increased the phosphorylation of Flt-1 but not Flk-1, whereas VEGF increased the phosphorylation of both receptors in EA cells and HUVECs. VEGF expression elicited by ANG II was not altered by Flt-1/Fc or SU-1498. EGF stimulated tube formation from EA cells and HUVECs and Flt-1 phosphorylation and aortic sprouting, which were blocked by the EGF receptor antagonist AG-1478 and Flt-1/Fc but not by SU-1498. ANG II-, EGF-, and VEGF-induced tube formation and aortic sprouting were attenuated by the Syk inhibitor piceatannol and by Syk short hairpin interfering (sh)RNA and small interfering RNA, respectively. ANG II, EGF, and VEGF increased Syk phosphorylation, which was inhibited by piceatannol and Syk shRNA in EA cells and HUVECs. Neither piceatannol nor Syk shRNA altered ANG II-, EGF-, or VEGF-induced phosphorylation of Flt-1. These data suggest that ANG II stimulates angiogenesis via transactivation of the EGF receptor, which promotes the phosphorylation of Flt-1 and activation of Syk independent of VEGF expression.

Cytochrome P450 1B1 Gene Disruption Minimizes Deoxycorticosterone Acetate-Salt–Induced Hypertension and Associated Cardiac Dysfunction and Renal Damage in Mice

Previously, we showed that the cytochrome P450 1B1 inhibitor 2,3′,4,5′-tetramethoxystilbene reversed deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt–induced hypertension and minimized endothelial and renal dysfunction in the rat. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that cytochrome P450 1B1 contributes to cardiac dysfunction, and renal damage and inflammation associated with DOCA-salt–induced hypertension, via increased production of reactive oxygen species and modulation of neurohumoral factors and signaling molecules. DOCA-salt increased systolic blood pressure, cardiac and renal cytochrome P450 1B1 activity, and plasma levels of catecholamines, vasopressin, and endothelin-1 in wild-type (Cyp1b1+/+) mice that were minimized in Cyp1b1−/− mice. Cardiac function, assessed by echocardiography, showed that DOCA-salt increased the thickness of the left ventricular posterior and anterior walls during diastole, the left ventricular internal diameter, and end-diastolic and end-systolic volume in Cyp1b1+/+ but not in Cyp1b1−/− mice; stroke volume was not altered in either genotype. DOCA-salt increased renal vascular resistance and caused vascular hypertrophy and renal fibrosis, increased renal infiltration of macrophages and T lymphocytes, caused proteinuria, increased cardiac and renal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase activity, caused production of reactive oxygen species, and increased activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and cellular-Src; these were all reduced in DOCA-salt–treated Cyp1b1−/− mice. Renal and cardiac levels of eicosanoids were not altered in either genotype of mice. These data suggest that, in DOCA-salt hypertension in mice, cytochrome P450 1B1 plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular dysfunction, renal damage, and inflammation, and increased levels of catecholamines, vasopressin, and endothelin-1, consequent to generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and cellular-Src independent of eicosanoids.

Cytochrome P450 1B1 Gene Disruption Minimizes Deoxycorticosterone Acetate-Salt–Induced Hypertension and Associated Cardiac Dysfunction and Renal Damage in MiceNovelty and Significance

Previously, we showed that the cytochrome P450 1B1 inhibitor 2,3′,4,5′-tetramethoxystilbene reversed deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt–induced hypertension and minimized endothelial and renal dysfunction in the rat. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that cytochrome P450 1B1 contributes to cardiac dysfunction, and renal damage and inflammation associated with DOCA-salt–induced hypertension, via increased production of reactive oxygen species and modulation of neurohumoral factors and signaling molecules. DOCA-salt increased systolic blood pressure, cardiac and renal cytochrome P450 1B1 activity, and plasma levels of catecholamines, vasopressin, and endothelin-1 in wild-type (Cyp1b1+/+) mice that were minimized in Cyp1b1−/− mice. Cardiac function, assessed by echocardiography, showed that DOCA-salt increased the thickness of the left ventricular posterior and anterior walls during diastole, the left ventricular internal diameter, and end-diastolic and end-systolic volume in Cyp1b1+/+ but not in Cyp1b1−/− mice; stroke volume was not altered in either genotype. DOCA-salt increased renal vascular resistance and caused vascular hypertrophy and renal fibrosis, increased renal infiltration of macrophages and T lymphocytes, caused proteinuria, increased cardiac and renal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase activity, caused production of reactive oxygen species, and increased activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and cellular-Src; these were all reduced in DOCA-salt–treated Cyp1b1−/− mice. Renal and cardiac levels of eicosanoids were not altered in either genotype of mice. These data suggest that, in DOCA-salt hypertension in mice, cytochrome P450 1B1 plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular dysfunction, renal damage, and inflammation, and increased levels of catecholamines, vasopressin, and endothelin-1, consequent to generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and cellular-Src independent of eicosanoids.

CYTOCHROME P450 1B1 GENE DISRUPTION MINIMIZES DOCA-SALT-INDUCED HYPERTENSION AND ASSOCIATED CARDIAC DYSFUNCTION AND RENAL DAMAGE IN MICE

Previously, we showed that the cytochrome P450 1B1 inhibitor 2,3′,4,5′-tetramethoxystilbene reversed deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt–induced hypertension and minimized endothelial and renal dysfunction in the rat. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that cytochrome P450 1B1 contributes to cardiac dysfunction, and renal damage and inflammation associated with DOCA-salt–induced hypertension, via increased production of reactive oxygen species and modulation of neurohumoral factors and signaling molecules. DOCA-salt increased systolic blood pressure, cardiac and renal cytochrome P450 1B1 activity, and plasma levels of catecholamines, vasopressin, and endothelin-1 in wild-type (Cyp1b1+/+) mice that were minimized in Cyp1b1−/− mice. Cardiac function, assessed by echocardiography, showed that DOCA-salt increased the thickness of the left ventricular posterior and anterior walls during diastole, the left ventricular internal diameter, and end-diastolic and end-systolic volume in Cyp1b1+/+ but not in Cyp1b1−/− mice; stroke volume was not altered in either genotype. DOCA-salt increased renal vascular resistance and caused vascular hypertrophy and renal fibrosis, increased renal infiltration of macrophages and T lymphocytes, caused proteinuria, increased cardiac and renal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase activity, caused production of reactive oxygen species, and increased activities of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and cellular-Src; these were all reduced in DOCA-salt–treated Cyp1b1−/− mice. Renal and cardiac levels of eicosanoids were not altered in either genotype of mice. These data suggest that, in DOCA-salt hypertension in mice, cytochrome P450 1B1 plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular dysfunction, renal damage, and inflammation, and increased levels of catecholamines, vasopressin, and endothelin-1, consequent to generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and cellular-Src independent of eicosanoids.