Voahanginirina Randriamboavonjy

20-HETE-induced contraction of small coronary arteries depends on the activation of rho-kinase

Abstract—20-HETE is a potent constrictor of small blood vessels and has been suggested to play a crucial role in the generation of myogenic tone and the development of hypertension. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms by which exogenously applied 20-HETE modulates vascular tone in small porcine coronary arteries. In organ chamber experiments, 20-HETE elicited a concentration-dependent contraction of small porcine coronary artery rings that was partially inhibited by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac, the thromboxane and endoperoxide receptor antagonist SQ29548, and the thromboxane A2 synthase inhibitor furegrelate. Removal of endothelium attenuated the response to 20-HETE, whereas preconstriction of endothelium-denuded vessels to 25% of the maximum response with KCl markedly enhanced the response to 20-HETE. This 20-HETE–induced contraction was not associated with a significant increase in the intracellular concentration of Ca2+. 20-HETE–induced contraction was also observed in &bgr;-escin–permeabilized arteries precontracted with a submaximal concentration of Ca2+ and was abolished by the Rho-kinase inhibitor Y27632, but was insensitive to the PKC inhibitor RO 31-8220. 20-HETE elicited the phosphorylation of the myosin light chain (MLC20) in coronary artery rings, an effect that was sensitive to Y27632 and mimicked by the thromboxane analog U46619. These data suggest that in small porcine coronary arteries, 20-HETE can induce contraction by 2 mechanisms, one endothelium-dependent involving the cyclooxygenase-dependent generation of vasoconstrictor prostanoids, and the other endothelium-independent. The latter response is associated with the activation of Rho-kinase, phosphorylation of MLC20, and sensitization of the contractile apparatus to Ca2+.

Platelet Sarcoplasmic Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase and μ-Calpain Activity Are Altered in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Restored by Rosiglitazone

Background— Platelets from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus display hyperaggregability and increased thrombogenic potential. Methods and Results— In platelets from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, we found enhanced tyrosine nitration and inactivation of the sarcoplasmic endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA-2), elevated platelet [Ca2+]i, and activation of &mgr;-calpain. The tyrosine nitration of SERCA-2 and the activation of &mgr;-calpain in vitro in platelets from healthy volunteers could be evoked in vitro by peroxynitrite. Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 was identified as a &mgr;-calpain substrate; its in vitro degradation was stimulated by peroxynitrite and prevented by calpain inhibitors. Calpain activation also was linked to hyperresponsiveness to thrombin and the loss of platelet sensitivity to nitric oxide synthase inhibitors. Platelets from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (hemoglobin A1c >6.6%) contained little or no intact platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, whereas degradation products were detectable. The peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-&ggr; agonist rosiglitazone increased SERCA-2 expression in megakaryocytes, and treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with rosiglitazone for 12 weeks increased platelet SERCA-2 expression and Ca2+-ATPase activity, decreased SERCA-2 tyrosine nitration, and normalized platelet [Ca2+]i. Rosiglitazone also reduced &mgr;-calpain activity, normalized platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 levels, and partially restored platelet sensitivity to nitric oxide synthase inhibition. Conclusion— These data identify megakaryocytes/platelets as additional cellular targets for peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-&ggr; agonists and highlight potential benefits of rosiglitazone therapy in cardiovascular diseases.

Insulin induces the release of vasodilator compounds from platelets by a nitric oxide-G kinase-VAMP-3-dependent pathway.

Insulin-induced vasodilatation is sensitive to nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) inhibitors. However, insulin is unable to relax isolated arteries or to activate endothelial NOS in endothelial cells. Since insulin can enhance platelet endothelial NOS activity, we determined whether insulin-induced vasodilatation can be attributed to a NO-dependent, platelet-mediated process. Insulin failed to relax endothelium-intact rings of porcine coronary artery. The supernatant from insulin-stimulated human platelets induced complete relaxation, which was prevented by preincubation of platelets with a NOS inhibitor, the soluble guanylyl cyclase inhibitor, NS 2028, or the G kinase inhibitor, KT 5823, and was abolished by an adenosine A2A receptor antagonist. Insulin induced the release of adenosine trisphosphate (ATP), adenosine, and serotonin from platelet-dense granules in a NO-dependent manner. This response was not detected using insulin-stimulated platelets from endothelial NOS−/− mice, although a NO donor elicited ATP release. Insulin-induced ATP release from human platelets correlated with the association of syntaxin 2 with the vesicle-associated membrane protein 3 but was not associated with the activation of αIIbβ3 integrin. Thus, insulin elicits the release of vasoactive concentrations of ATP and adenosine from human platelets via a NO–G kinase–dependent signaling cascade. The mechanism of dense granule secretion involves the G kinase–dependent association of syntaxin 2 with vesicle-associated membrane protein 3.

Cytochrome P450 epoxygenases and vascular tone: novel role for HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors in the regulation of CYP 2C expression

Over the last 10 years it has become increasingly clear that cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes expressed within endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells play a crucial role in the modulation of vascular homeostasis. There is strong evidence suggesting that the activation of a CYP 2C epoxygenase in endothelial cells is an essential step in nitric oxide (NO)- and prostacyclin (PGI(2))-independent vasodilatation of several vascular beds, particularly in the heart and kidney. Moreover, CYP epoxygenase products as well as CYP-derived reactive oxygen species are intracellular signal transduction molecules involved in several signaling cascades affecting numerous cellular processes, including vascular cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Various pharmacological compounds enhance vascular CYP 2C expression. One group of substances which highlight the possible effects of CYP induction in endothelial cells on vascular function are the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). Cerivastatin and fluvastatin increase CYP 2C mRNA and protein in native and cultured endothelial cells, and enhance the bradykinin-induced NO/PGI(2)-independent relaxation of arterial segments as well as the generation of reactive oxygen species. However, statins also increase the expression of the endothelial NO synthase by approximately twofold. As a consequence, the probability that NO and reactive oxygen species react to generate peroxynitrite is increased and the treatment of vascular segments with statins resulted in enhanced protein tyrosine nitration. These data highlight the role played by CYP 2C in vascular homeostasis and its potential regulation by cardiovascular drugs.

Insulin, Insulin Resistance, and Platelet Signaling in Diabetes

Insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome are associated with a prothrombotic state that contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of the vascular complications of type 2 diabetes. Development of the disease is also linked to the loss of the direct antiplatelet effect of insulin and platelets obtained from patients with diabetes who are hyperreactive (i.e., demonstrate increased adhesiveness and exaggerated aggregation and thrombus generation). Conditions linked to insulin resistance and development of type 2 diabetes are generally associated with redox stress within the vasculature that, in turn, affects platelet function. There are numerous platelet signaling events that are sensitive to changes in the vascular balance of nitric oxide (NO) and oxygen-derived free radical generation; however, recent studies have highlighted the link among platelet hyperreactivity and oxidative modifications in Ca2+-ATPase activity and Ca2+ homeostasis, altered surface expression of glycoprotein receptors and adhesive proteins on the platelet surface, and increased binding of fibrinogen (rev. in (1). ### Effects of insulin on platelet function A direct antiplatelet effect of insulin has been demonstrated by many groups; although we and others have observed an insulin-induced attenuation of the thrombin-induced Ca2+ response and platelet aggregation as well as the release of ADP (2,3), reports from groups assessing the same responses are inconsistent. Part of the controversy may be attributed to the fact that responses to insulin are highly heterogeneous; indeed, clear populations of “responders” and “nonresponders” have been identified in several studies (3,4) and can be related to numerous factors including physical condition (5). Studies in which an effect of insulin has been documented and that were aimed at addressing the molecular mechanisms that underlie the antiaggregatory effects of insulin have not yet managed to completely clarify the events involved. Thus, although insulin has been reported to stimulate the AMP-activated protein kinase …

Impaired interaction of platelets with endothelial progenitor cells in patients with cardiovascular risk factors

ObjectiveRecent studies indicate that platelets influence endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) recruitment to sites of vascular injury and promote their differentiation to an endothelial phenotype. Patients with cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) demonstrate a reduced number and impaired function of EPC, as well as platelet hyper-reactivity. Therefore, we investigated the interaction of platelets and EPC from patients with CVRF.Methods and resultsCo-incubation of platelets and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, both from healthy volunteers, dose-dependently increased the number of adherent EPC. In contrast, patient-derived platelets failed to augment the number of adherent and migrating healthy and patient-derived EPC. However, co-incubation of platelets from healthy donors with mononuclear cells from patients with CVRF significantly enhanced the number of EPC, indicating that platelets from healthy volunteers are able to partially rescue the impairment of patient-derived EPC formation. Likewise, healthy donor-derived platelets augmented the impaired migration and clonal capacity of patient-derived EPC. Analysis of individual CVRF of platelet donors revealed that only diabetes mellitus inversely correlated with EPC number, colony formation and migration. The platelet supernatants from healthy volunteers that significantly increased EPC number contained IL-6, SDF-1, sCD40L and PDGF. While sCD40L and PDGF levels were comparable in platelet supernatants from healthy volunteers and patients with CVRF, the release of IL-6 and SDF-1 by patient-derived platelets was rather increased, thus, indicating that these soluble factors are not mediating the effect of platelet supernatants.ConclusionHealthy volunteer-derived platelets provide a source of soluble factors to improve the number and function of EPC from patients with cardiovascular risk factors, particularly diabetes mellitus.

MicroRNAs in Platelet Biogenesis and Function: Implications in Vascular Homeostasis and Inflammation

Platelets are involved in vascular homeostasis and inflammation through interaction with circulating blood cells and vascular wall. MiRNAs are small, conserved and non-coding RNA molecules, which interact directly with specific mRNAs regions regulating gene expression. The purpose of this review is to gather all known platelet miRNAs and summarize their role in platelet biogenesis and function. Increasing evidence supports the role of miR-34a and miR-150 in megakaryocytopoiesis and platelet production. Although 284 miRNAs are described to be present in platelets, their role is mostly unknown. The most abundant miRNA in platelets is miR-223 followed by miR-126. The miR-96, miR-200b, miR- 495, miR-107 and miR-223 are critically involved in platelet reactivity, aggregation, secretion and adhesion. The presence of miRNAs known to regulate angiogenesis in platelets is also discussed. Furthermore, platelet-derived microvesicles and microparticles contain several miRNAs, which may facilitate the communication between platelets with other vascular cells, a mechanism that may play an important role in vascular homeostasis and inflammation. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact roles of platelet miRNAs in platelet function and vascular biology.

Calpain inhibition stabilizes the platelet proteome and reactivity in diabetes

Platelets from patients with diabetes are hyperreactive and demonstrate increased adhesiveness, aggregation, degranulation, and thrombus formation, processes that contribute to the accelerated development of vascular disease. Part of the problem seems to be dysregulated platelet Ca(2+) signaling and the activation of calpains, which are Ca(2+)-activated proteases that result in the limited proteolysis of substrate proteins and subsequent alterations in signaling. In the present study, we report that the activation of μ- and m-calpain in patients with type 2 diabetes has profound effects on the platelet proteome and have identified septin-5 and the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) as novel calpain substrates. The calpain-dependent cleavage of septin-5 disturbed its association with syntaxin-4 and promoted the secretion of α-granule contents, including TGF-β and CCL5. Calpain was also released by platelets and cleaved CCL5 to generate a variant with enhanced activity. Calpain activation also disrupted the ILK-PINCH-Parvin complex and altered platelet adhesion and spreading. In diabetic mice, calpain inhibition reversed the effects of diabetes on platelet protein cleavage, decreased circulating CCL5 levels, reduced platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation, and improved platelet function. The results of the present study indicate that diabetes-induced platelet dysfunction is mediated largely by calpain activation and suggest that calpain inhibition may be an effective way of preserving platelet function and eventually decelerating atherothrombosis development.

AMPK α2 subunit is involved in platelet signaling, clot retraction, and thrombus stability.

The adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a regulator of energy balance at the cellular and whole-body levels, but little is known about the role of AMPK in platelet activation. We report that both the α1 and α2 AMPK isoforms are expressed by human and murine platelets and that thrombin elicits the phosphorylation of AMPKα as well as the upstream kinase, liver kinase B1 (LKB1). In human platelets, the kinase inhibitors iodotubercidin and compound C significantly inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and clot retraction without affecting the initial increase in [Ca(2+)](i). Clot retraction was also impaired in platelets from AMPKα2(-/-) mice but not from wild-type littermates or AMPKα1(-/-) mice. Moreover, rebleeding was more frequent in AMPKα2(-/-) mice, and the FeCl(3)-induced thrombi formed in AMPKα2(-/-) mice were unstable. Mechanistically, AMPKα2 was found to phosphorylate in vitro the Src-family kinase, Fyn, and isoform deletion resulted in the attenuated threonine phosphorylation of Fyn as well as the subsequent tyrosine phosphorylation of its substrate, β3 integrin. These data indicate that AMPKα2-by affecting Fyn phosphorylation and activity-plays a key role in platelet αIIbβ3 integrin signaling, leading to clot retraction and thrombus stability.

Dicer Cleavage by Calpain Determines Platelet microRNA Levels and Function in Diabetes

RATIONALE MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNA species generated by the processing of longer precursors by the ribonucleases Drosha and Dicer. Platelets contain large amounts of miRNA that are altered by disease, in particular diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE This study determined why platelet miRNA levels are attenuated in diabetic individuals and how decreased levels of the platelet-enriched miRNA, miR-223, affect platelet function. METHODS AND RESULTS Dicer levels were altered in platelets from diabetic mice and patients, a change that could be attributed to the cleavage of the enzyme by calpain, resulting in loss of function. Diabetes mellitus in human subjects as well as in mice resulted in decreased levels of platelet miR-142, miR-143, miR-155, and miR-223. Focusing on only 1 of these miRNAs, miR-223 deletion in mice resulted in modestly enhanced platelet aggregation, the formation of large thrombi and delayed clot retraction compared with wild-type littermates. A similar dysregulation was detected in platelets from diabetic patients. Proteomic analysis of platelets from miR-223 knockout mice revealed increased levels of several proteins, including kindlin-3 and coagulation factor XIII-A. Whereas, kindlin-3 was indirectly regulated by miR-223, factor XIII was a direct target and both proteins were also altered in diabetic platelets. Treating diabetic mice with a calpain inhibitor prevented loss of platelet dicer as well as the diabetes mellitus-induced decrease in platelet miRNA levels and the upregulation of miR-223 target proteins. CONCLUSIONS Thus, calpain inhibition may be one means of normalizing platelet miRNA processing as well as platelet function in diabetes mellitus.