Zaiming Luo

Cellular ADMA: Regulation and action

Asymmetric (N(G),N(G)) dimethylarginine (ADMA) is present in plasma and cells. It can inhibit nitric oxide synthase (NOS) that generates nitric oxide (NO) and cationic amino acid transporters (CATs) that supply intracellular NOS with its substrate, l-arginine, from the plasma. Therefore, ADMA and its transport mechanisms are strategically placed to regulate endothelial function. This could have considerable clinical impact since endothelial dysfunction has been detected at the origin of hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in human subjects and may be a harbinger of large vessel disease and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Indeed, plasma levels of ADMA are increased in many studies of patients at risk for, or with overt CKD or CVD. However, the levels of ADMA measured in plasma of about 0.5micromol.l(-1) may be below those required to inhibit NOS whose substrate, l-arginine, is present in concentrations many fold above the Km for NOS. However, NOS activity may be partially inhibited by cellular ADMA. Therefore, the cellular production of ADMA by protein arginine methyltransferase (PRMT) and protein hydrolysis, its degradation by N(G),N(G)-dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) and its transmembrane transport by CAT that determines intracellular levels of ADMA may also determine the state of activation of NOS. This is the focus of the review. It is concluded that cellular levels of ADMA can be 5- to 20-fold above those in plasma and in a range that could tonically inhibit NOS. The relative importance of PRMT, DDAH and CAT for determining the intracellular NOS substrate:inhibitor ratio (l-arginine:ADMA) may vary according to the pathophysiologic circumstance. An understanding of this important balance requires knowledge of these three processes that regulate the intracellular levels of ADMA and arginine.

Angiotensin II and NADPH Oxidase Increase ADMA in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Asymmetrical dimethylarginine inhibits nitric oxide synthase, cationic amino acid transport, and endothelial function. Patients with cardiovascular risk factors often have endothelial dysfunction associated with increased plasma asymmetrical dimethylarginine and markers of reactive oxygen species. We tested the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species, generated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, enhance cellular asymmetrical dimethylarginine. Incubation of rat preglomerular vascular smooth muscle cells with angiotensin II doubled the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase but decreased the activities of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase by 35% and of cationic amino acid transport by 20% and doubled cellular (but not medium) asymmetrical dimethylarginine concentrations (P<0.01). This was blocked by tempol or candesartan. Cells stably transfected with p22phox had a 50% decreased protein expression and activity of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase despite increased promoter activity and mRNA. The decreased DDAH protein expression and the increased asymmetrical dimethylarginine concentration in p22phox-transfected cells were prevented by proteosomal inhibition. These cells had enhanced protein arginine methylation, a 2-fold increased expression of protein arginine methyltransferase-3 (P<0.05) and a 30% reduction in cationic amino acid transport activity (P<0.05). Asymmetrical dimethylarginine was increased from 6±1 to 16±3 &mgr;mol/L (P<0.005) in p22phox-transfected cells. Thus, angiotensin II increased cellular asymmetrical dimethylarginine via type 1 receptors and reactive oxygen species. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase increased cellular asymmetrical dimethylarginine by increasing enzymes that generate it, enhancing the degradation of enzymes that metabolize it, and reducing its cellular transport. This could underlie increases in cellular asymmetrical dimethylarginine during oxidative stress.

Asymmetric Dimethylarginine and Lipid Peroxidation Products in Early Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

BACKGROUND Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) with normal renal function have endothelial dysfunction and decreased nitric oxide synthase activity in subcutaneous resistance vessels. We investigated asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) as a marker of an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and the lipid peroxidation product 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HODE) as a marker of oxidative stress in patients with early ADPKD. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Patients with early ADPKD (n = 27) and age-matched volunteers (n = 30) from a single academic medical center. FACTOR Patients with ADPKD versus controls. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENT Plasma (P) levels, urinary (U) excretion, and urinary clearance (C) of ADMA and HODE. Because of multiple comparisons, P for significance is considered less than 0.0167. RESULTS Patients with ADPKD had significantly increased P(ADMA) levels (604 +/- 131 versus 391 +/- 67 nmol/L; P < 0.01) and U(ADMA) excretion (22 +/- 4 versus 15.2 +/- 3 nmol/micromol creatinine; P = 0.01), decreased C(ADMA) (25 +/- 3 versus 33 +/- 4 mL/min; P = 0.01), increased P(HODE) levels (316 +/- 64 versus 230 +/- 38 nmol/L; P < 0.01) and U(HODE) excretion (467 +/- 67 versus 316 +/- 40 nmol/micromol creatinine; P < 0.01), and decreased plasma nitrite plus nitrate (P(NOx)) levels (21 +/- 5 versus 32 +/- 6 micromol/L; P < 0.01) and U(NOx) excretion (59 +/- 7 versus 138 +/- 27 micromol/micromol creatinine; P < 0.01). LIMITATIONS Small sample size, cross-sectional nature of study, and limited number of markers of oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS P(ADMA) and P(HODE) levels are increased in patients with early ADPKD. Increased P(ADMA) level is related to decreased C(ADMA) and is accompanied by oxidative stress.

Comparison of inhibitors of superoxide generation in vascular smooth muscle cells

Background and purpose:  We compared the dose‐dependent reductions in cellular superoxide anion (O2‐) by catalytic agents: superoxide dismutase (SOD), polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐SOD and the nitroxide 4‐hydroxy‐2,2,6,6,‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (tempol) with uncharacterized antioxidants: 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis (4‐sulphonatophenyl) porphyrinate iron (III)(Fe‐TTPS), (‐)‐cis‐3,3′,4′,5,7‐pentahydroxyflavane (2R,3R)‐2‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐1(2H)‐benzopyran‐3,5,7‐triol (‐epicatechin), 2‐phenyl‐1,2‐benzisoselenazol‐3(2H)‐one (ebselen) and N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC) with the spin trap nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and with the vitamins or their analogues: ascorbate, α‐tocopherol and 6‐hydroxy‐2,5,7,8‐tetramethylkroman‐2‐carboxy acid (trolox).

Response Gene to Complement 32, a Novel Regulator for Transforming Growth Factor-β-induced Smooth Muscle Differentiation of Neural Crest Cells

We previously developed a robust in vitro model system for vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) differentiation from neural crest cell line Monc-1 upon transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induction. Further studies demonstrated that both Smad and RhoA signaling are critical for TGF-β-induced VSMC development. To identify downstream targets, we performed Affymetrix cDNA array analysis of Monc-1 cells and identified a gene named response gene to complement 32 (RGC-32) to be important for the VSMC differentiation. RGC-32 expression was increased 5-fold after 2 h and 50-fold after 24 h of TGF-β induction. Knockdown of RGC-32 expression in Monc-1 cells by small interfering RNA significantly inhibited the expression of multiple smooth muscle marker genes, including SM α-actin (α-SMA), SM22α, and calponin. Of importance, the inhibition of RGC-32 expression correlated with the reduction of α-SMA while not inhibiting smooth muscle-unrelated c-fos gene expression, suggesting that RGC-32 is an important protein factor for VSMC differentiation from neural crest cells. Moreover, RGC-32 overexpression significantly enhanced TGF-β-induced α-SMA, SM22α, and SM myosin heavy chain promoter activities in both Monc-1 and C3H10T1/2 cells. The induction of VSMC gene promoters by RGC-32 appears to be CArG-dependent. These data suggest that RGC-32 controls VSMC differentiation by regulating marker gene transcription in a CArG-dependent manner. Further studies revealed that both Smad and RhoA signaling are important for RGC-32 activation.

Renal Proximal Tubular Reabsorption Is Reduced In Adult Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Roles of Superoxide and Na+/H+ Exchanger 3

Proximal tubule reabsorption is regulated by systemic and intrinsic mechanisms, including locally produced autocoids. Superoxide, produced by NADPH oxidase enhances NaCl transport in the loop of Henle and the collecting duct, but its role in the proximal tubule is unclear. We measured proximal tubule fluid reabsorption (Jv) in WKY rats and compared that with Jv in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), a model of enhanced renal superoxide generation. Rats were treated with the NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin (Apo) or with small interfering RNA for p22phox, which is the critical subunit of NADPH oxidase. Jv was lower in SHR compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY; WKY: 2.3±0.3 vs SHR: 1.1±0.2 nL/min per millimeter; n=9 to 11; P<0.001). Apo and small interfering RNA to p22phox normalized Jv in SHRs but had no effect in WKY rats. Jv was reduced in proximal tubules perfused with S-1611, a highly selective inhibitor of the Na+/H+ exchanger 3, the major Na+ uptake pathway in the proximal tubule, in WKY rats but not in SHRs. Pretreatment with Apo restored an effect of S-1611 to reduce Jv in the SHRs (SHR+Apo: 2.9±0.4 vs SHR+Apo+S-1611: 1.0±0.3 nL/min per millimeter; P<0.001). However, because expression of the Na+/H+ exchanger 3 was similar between SHR and WKY rats, this suggests that superoxide affects Na+/H+ exchanger 3 activity. Direct microperfusion of Tempol or Apo into the proximal tubule also restored Jv in SHRs. In conclusion, superoxide generated by NADPH oxidase inhibits proximal tubule fluid reabsorption in SHRs. This finding implies that proximal tubule fluid reabsorption is regulated by redox balance, which may have profound effects on ion and fluid homeostasis in the hypertensive kidney.

p47 phox Is Required for Afferent Arteriolar Contractile Responses to Angiotensin II and Perfusion Pressure in Mice

Myogenic and angiotensin contractions of afferent arterioles generate reactive oxygen species. Resistance vessels express neutrophil oxidase-2 and -4. Angiotensin II activates p47phox/neutrophil oxidase-2, whereas it downregulates NOX-4. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that p47phox enhances afferent arteriolar angiotensin contractions. Angiotensin II infusion in p47phox +/+ but not −/− mice increased renal cortical NADPH oxidase activity (7±1–12±1 [P<0.01] versus 5±1–7±1 103 · RLU · min−1 · &mgr;g protein−1 [P value not significant]), mean arterial pressure (77±2–91±2 [P<0.005] versus 74±2–77±1 mm Hg [P value not significant]), and renal vascular resistance (7.5±0.4–10.1±0.7 [P<0.01] versus 7.9±0.4–8.3±0.4 mm Hg/mL · min−1 · gram kidney weight−1 [P value not significant]). Afferent arterioles from p47phox −/− mice had a lesser myogenic response (3.1±0.4 versus 1.4±0.2 dynes · cm−1 · mm Hg−1; P<0.02) and a lesser (P<0.05) contraction to 10−6 M angiotensin II (diameter change +/+: 9.3±0.2–3.4±0.6 &mgr;m versus −/−: 9.9±0.6–7.5±0.4 &mgr;m). Angiotensin and increased perfusion pressure generated significantly (P<0.05) more reactive oxygen species in p47phox +/+ than −/− arterioles. Angiotensin II infusion increased the maximum responsiveness of afferent arterioles from p47phox +/+ mice to 10−6 M angiotensin II yet decreased the response in p47phox −/− mice. The angiotensin infusion increased the sensitivity to angiotensin II only in p47phox +/+ mice. We conclude that p47phox is required to enhance renal NADPH oxidase activity and basal afferent arteriolar myogenic and angiotensin II contractions and to switch afferent arteriolar tachyphylaxis to sensitization to angiotensin during a prolonged angiotensin infusion. These effects likely contribute to hypertension and renal vasoconstriction during infusion of angiotensin II.

Impaired Endothelial Function and Microvascular Asymmetrical Dimethylarginine in Angiotensin II–Infused Rats: Effects of Tempol

Angiotensin (Ang) II causes endothelial dysfunction, which is associated with cardiovascular risk. We investigated the hypothesis that Ang II increases microvascular reactive oxygen species and asymmetrical dimethylarginine and switches endothelial function from vasodilator to vasoconstrictor pathways. Acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent responses of mesenteric resistance arterioles were assessed in a myograph and vascular NO and reactive oxygen species by fluorescent probes in groups (n=6) of male rats infused for 14 days with Ang II (200 ng/kg per minute) or given a sham infusion. Additional groups of Ang or sham-infused rats were given oral Tempol (2 mmol · L−1). Ang II infusion increased mean blood pressure (119±5 versus 89±7 mm Hg; P<0.005) and plasma malondialdehyde (0.57±0.02 versus 0.37±0.05 &mgr;mol · L−1; P<0.035) and decreased maximal endothelium-dependent relaxation (18±5% versus 54±6%; P<0.005) and hyperpolarizing (19±3% versus 29±3%; P<0.05) responses and NO activity (0.9±0.1 versus 1.6±0.2 U; P<0.01) yet enhanced endothelium-dependent contraction responses (23±5% versus 5±5%; P<0.05) and reactive oxygen species production (0.82±0.05 versus 0.15±0.03 U; P<0.01). Ang II decreased the expression of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 2 and increased asymmetrical dimethylarginine in vessels (450±50 versus 260±35 pmol/mg of protein; P<0.01) but not plasma. Tempol prevented any significant changes with Ang II. In conclusion, Ang redirected endothelial responses from relaxation to contraction, reduced vascular NO, and increased asymmetrical dimethylarginine. These effects were dependent on reactive oxygen species and could, therefore, be targeted with effective antioxidant therapy.

Effects of the antioxidant drug tempol on renal oxygenation in mice with reduced renal mass

We tested the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributed to renal hypoxia in C57BL/6 mice with ⅚ surgical reduction of renal mass (RRM). ROS can activate the mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP-2) and increase O(2) usage. However, UCP-2 can be inactivated by glutathionylation. Mice were fed normal (NS)- or high-salt (HS) diets, and HS mice received the antioxidant drug tempol or vehicle for 3 mo. Since salt intake did not affect the tubular Na(+) transport per O(2) consumed (T(Na/)Q(O2)), further studies were confined to HS mice. RRM mice had increased excretion of 8-isoprostane F(2α) and H(2)O(2), renal expression of UCP-2 and renal O(2) extraction, and reduced T(Na/)Q(O2) (sham: 20 ± 2 vs. RRM: 10 ± 1 μmol/μmol; P < 0.05) and cortical Po(2) (sham: 43 ± 2, RRM: 29 ± 2 mmHg; P < 0.02). Tempol normalized all these parameters while further increasing compensatory renal growth and glomerular volume. RRM mice had preserved blood pressure, glomeruli, and patchy tubulointerstitial fibrosis. The patterns of protein expression in the renal cortex suggested that RRM kidneys had increased ROS from upregulated p22(phox), NOX-2, and -4 and that ROS-dependent increases in UCP-2 led to hypoxia that activated transforming growth factor-β whereas erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), glutathione peroxidase-1, and glutathione-S-transferase mu-1 were upregulated independently of ROS. We conclude that RRM activated distinct processes: a ROS-dependent activation of UCP-2 leading to inefficient renal O(2) usage and cortical hypoxia that was offset by Nrf-2-dependent glutathionylation. Thus hypoxia in RRM may be the outcome of NADPH oxidase-initiated ROS generation, leading to mitochondrial uncoupling counteracted by defense pathways coordinated by Nrf-2.

Activation of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2–Related Factor 2 Coordinates Dimethylarginine Dimethylaminohydrolase/PPAR-γ/Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Pathways That Enhance Nitric Oxide Generation in Human Glomerular Endothelial Cells

Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) degrades asymmetric dimethylarginine, which inhibits nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS). Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcriptional factor that binds to antioxidant response elements and transcribes many antioxidant genes. Because the promoters of the human DDAH-1 and DDAH-2, endothelial NOS (eNOS) and PPAR-&ggr; genes contain 2 to 3 putative antioxidant response elements, we hypothesized that they were regulated by Nrf2/antioxidant response element. Incubation of human renal glomerular endothelial cells with the Nrf2 activator tert-butylhydroquinone (20 &mgr;mol·L−1) significantly (P<0.05) increased NO and activities of NOS and DDAH and decreased asymmetric dimethylarginine. It upregulated genes for hemoxygenase-1, eNOS, DDAH-1, DDAH-2, and PPAR-&ggr; and partitioned Nrf2 into the nucleus. Knockdown of Nrf2 abolished these effects. Nrf2 bound to one antioxidant response element on DDAH-1 and DDAH-2 and PPAR-&ggr; promoters but not to the eNOS promoter. An increased eNOS and phosphorylated eNOS (P-eNOSser-1177) expression with tert-butylhydroquinone was prevented by knockdown of PPAR-&ggr;. Expression of Nrf2 was reduced by knockdown of PPAR-&ggr;, whereas PPAR-&ggr; was reduced by knockdown of Nrf2, thereby demonstrating 2-way positive interactions. Thus, Nrf2 transcribes HO-1 and other genes to reduce reactive oxygen species, and DDAH-1 and DDAH-2 to reduce asymmetric dimethylarginine and PPAR-&ggr; to increase eNOS and its phosphorylation and activity thereby coordinating 3 pathways that enhance endothelial NO generation.