Karl Schoenafinger

Release of nitric oxide from endothelial cells stimulated by YC‐1, an activator of soluble guanylyl cyclase

In this study we examined the endothelium‐dependent effect of YC‐1–a benzyl indazole derivative which directly activates soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC)–on vascular relaxation and nitric oxide (NO) and guanosine‐3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in endothelial cells. In preconstricted rat aortic rings with intact endothelium, YC‐1 produced a concentration‐dependent relaxation. However, the concentration response curve was shifted rightward to higher concentrations of YC‐1, when (i) the aortas were pre‐treated with L‐NG‐nitroarginine methylester (L‐NAME) or (ii) the endothelium was removed. Incubation of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) with YC‐1 produced a concentration‐dependent NO synthesis and release as assessed using a porphyrinic microsensor. Pre‐incubating cells with L‐NAME or with 8‐bromo‐cyclic GMP decreased this effect indicating that the YC‐1 stimulation of NO synthesis is due to an activation of nitric oxide synthase, but not to an elevation of cyclic GMP. No direct effect of YC‐1 on recombinant endothelial constitutive NO synthase activity was observed. The YC‐1 stimulated NO release was reduced by 90%, when extracellular free calcium was diminished. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), YC‐1 stimulated intracellular cyclic GMP production in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. Stimulation of cyclic GMP was greater with a maximum concentration of YC‐1 compared to calcium ionophore A23187. Similar effects were observed in BAEC and rat microvascular coronary endothelial cells (RMCEC). When HUVEC and RMCEC were pre‐treated with L‐NG‐nitroarginine (L‐NOARG), the maximum YC‐1 stimulated cyclic GMP increase was reduced by 50%. These results indicate, that beside being a direct activator of sGC, YC‐1 stimulates a NO‐synthesis and release in endothelial cells which is independent of elevation of cyclic GMP but strictly dependent on extracellular calcium. The underlying mechanism needs to be determined further.