VRQ397 (CRAVKY): a novel noncompetitive V2 receptor antagonist.

Vasopressin type 2 receptor (V2R) exhibits mostly important properties for hydroosmotic equilibrium and, to a lesser extent, on vasomotricity. Drugs currently acting on this receptor are analogs of the natural neuropeptide, arginine vasopressin (AVP), and hence are competitive ligands. Peptides that reproduce specific sequences of a given receptor have lately been reported to interfere with its action, and if such molecules arise from regions remote from the binding site they would be anticipated to exhibit noncompetitive antagonism, but this has yet to be shown for V2R. Six peptides reproducing juxtamembranous regions of V2R were designed and screened; the most effective peptide, cravky (labeled VRQ397), was characterized. VRQ397 was potent (IC(50) = 0.69 +/- 0.25 nM) and fully effective in inhibiting V2R-dependent physiological function, specifically desmopressin-L-desamino-8-arginine-vasopressin (DDAVP)-induced cremasteric vasorelaxation; this physiological functional assay was utilized to avoid overlooking interference of specific signaling events. A dose-response profile revealed a noncompetitive property of VRQ397; correspondingly, VRQ397 bound specifically to V2R-expressing cells could not displace its natural ligand, AVP, but modulated AVP binding kinetics (dissociation rate). Specificity of VRQ397 was further confirmed by its inability to bind to homologous V1 and oxytocin receptors and its inefficacy to alter responses to stimulation of these receptors. VRQ397 exhibited pharmacological permissiveness on V2R-induced signals, as it inhibited DDAVP-induced PGI(2) generation but not that of cAMP or recruitment of beta-arrestin2. Consistent with in vitro and ex vivo effects as a V2R antagonist, VRQ397 displayed anticipated in vivo aquaretic efficacy. We hereby describe the discovery of a first potent noncompetitive antagonist of V2R, which exhibits functional selectivity, in line with properties of a negative allosteric modulator.

Exaggerated vasomotor response to ANG II in rats with fetal programming of hypertension associated with exposure to a low-protein diet during gestation.

The renin-angiotensin system plays a key role in the initiation and maintenance of elevated blood pressure associated with altered intrauterine milieu. The current studies were undertaken to verify whether vascular response to ANG II is increased in adult offspring of low-protein fed dams (LP) compared with control (CTRL) and if so, to examine underlying mechanism(s). ANG II-induced contraction of carotid rings was increased in LP (E(max), the maximum asymptote of the curve, relative to maximal response to KCl 80 mM: 230 +/- 3% LP vs. 201 +/- 2% CTRL, P < 0.05). In both groups, contraction to ANG II was mediated solely by AT1R. Responses to thromboxane A2 analog U-46619 and to KCl 80 mM under step increases in tension were similar between groups. Endothelium depletion enhanced contraction to ANG II in both groups, more so in LP. Blockade of endothelin formation had no effect on response to ANG II, and ANG-(1-7) did not elicit vasomotor response in either group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) analog Tempol normalized LP without modifying CTRL response to ANG II. Basal levels of superoxide (aortic segments, lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence and fluorescent dye hydroethidine) were higher in LP. ANG II further increased superoxide production in LP only, and this was inhibited by coincubation with diphenylene iodonium or apocynin (inhibitor of NADPH oxidase complex). AT1R expression in carotid arteries was increased in LP, whereas SOD expression was unchanged. In conclusion, vasoconstriction to ANG II is exaggerated in this model of developmental programming of hypertension, secondary to enhanced vascular production of superoxide anion by NADPH oxidase with concomitant increase of AT1R expression.

Microvascular rarefaction and decreased angiogenesis in rats with fetal programming of hypertension associated with exposure to a low-protein diet in utero.

In hypertension, increased peripheral vascular resistance results from vascular dysfunction with or without structural changes (vessel wall remodeling and/or microvascular rarefaction). Humans with lower birth weight exhibit evidence of vascular dysfunction. The current studies were undertaken to investigate whether in utero programming of hypertension is associated with in vivo altered response and/or abnormal vascular structure. Offspring of Wistar dams fed a normal (CTRL) or low (LP)-protein diet during gestation were studied. Mean arterial blood pressure response to ANG II was significantly increased, and depressor response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) infusions significantly decreased in male LP adult offspring relative to CTRL. No arterial remodeling was observed in male LP compared with CTRL offspring. Capillary and arteriolar density was significantly decreased in striated muscles from LP offspring at 7 and 28 days of life but was not different in late fetal life [day 21 of gestation (E21)]. Angiogenic potential of aortic rings from LP newborn (day of birth, P0) was significantly decreased. Striated muscle expressions (Western blots) of ANG II AT(1) receptor subtype, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, angiopoietin 1 and 2, Tie 2 receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor and receptor, and platelet-derived growth factor C at E21 and P7 were unaltered by antenatal diet exposure. In conclusion, blood pressure responses to ANG II and SNP are altered, and microvascular structural changes prevail in this model of fetal programming of hypertension. The capillary rarefaction is absent in the fetus and appears in the neonatal period, in association with decreased angiogenic potential. The study suggests that intrauterine protein restriction increases susceptibility to postnatal factors resulting in microvascular rarefaction, which could represent a primary event in the genesis of hypertension.

A major role for prostacyclin in nitric oxide-induced ocular vasorelaxation in the piglet.

We studied the mechanisms of retinal and choroidal vasorelaxation elicited by nitric oxide (NO) using piglet eyes. The NO donors sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and diethylamine-NONOate caused comparable concentration-dependent relaxation that was partially (approximately 40%) attenuated by the guanylate cyclase inhibitors methylene blue and LY83583 and reduced to a lesser extent (approximately 25%) by the inhibitor of cGMP-dependent kinase, KT 5823. In contrast, NO-induced dilatation (by NO donors and endogenous NO after stimulation with bradykinin) was substantially (approximately 70%) diminished by the KCa channel blockers tetraethylammonium (TEA), charybdotoxin, and iberiotoxin; by the cyclooxygenase inhibitors indomethacin and ibuprofen; by the prostaglandin I (PGI2) synthase inhibitor trans-2-phenyl cyclopropylamine (TPC); and by the removal of endothelium; whereas relaxation of endothelium-denuded vasculature to SNP was unaltered by indomethacin, TPC, and charybdotoxin but was nearly nullified by methylene blue and the Kv channel blocker 4-aminopyridine. NO donors significantly increased PGI2 synthesis and the putative PGI2 receptor-coupled second messenger cAMP, from ocular vasculature (retinal microvessels and choroidal perfusate), and this increase in PGI2 formation was markedly reduced by TPC, tetraethylammonium, charybdotoxin, and/or the removal of endothelium, but it was only slightly reduced by methylene blue and LY83583. Also, SNP and KCa channel openers NS1619 and NS004 caused an increase in PGI2 synthesis in cultured endothelial cells, which was virtually abolished by KCa blockers. Finally, vasorelaxation to a cGMP analogue, 8-bromo cGMP, and protein kinase G stimulant beta-phenyl-1,N2-etheno-8-bromoguanosine 3':5'-cyclic monophosphate was mostly Kv dependent and, in contrast to NO, largely unrelated to PGI2 formation. In conclusion, data indicate that NO-induced ocular vasorelaxation is partly mediated by cGMP through its action on smooth muscle, and more importantly, by stimulating PGI2 formation of endothelial origin via a mechanism mostly independent of guanylate cyclase, which involves the opening of a KCa channel.

A novel mechanism for vasoconstrictor action of 8-isoprostaglandin F2 alpha on retinal vessels.

Using a video-imaging technique, we characterized the effects of 8-isoprostaglandin F2 alpha (8-iso-PGF2 alpha) on retinal vasculature from piglets. 8-Iso-PGF2 alpha potently contracted (EC50 = 5.9 +/- 0.5 nM) retinal vessels. These effects were completely antagonized by the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin, the thromboxane synthase blocker CGS-12970, the thromboxane receptor antagonist L-670596, and the putative inhibitor of the non-voltage-dependent receptor-operated Ca2+ pathway SKF-96365; constrictor effects of 8-iso-PGF2 alpha were also partly attenuated by the ETA-receptor blocker BQ-123 and an inhibitor of endothelin-converting enzyme, phosphoramidon, but was negligibly affected by the L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine. Correspondingly, 8-iso-PGF2 alpha elicited endothelin release from retinal preparations, which was markedly reduced by SKF-96365. 8-Iso-PGF2 alpha also increased thromboxane production in the retina and cultured endothelial cells, but not on retinovascular smooth muscle cells; these effects of 8-iso-PGF2 alpha were blocked by indomethacin, CGS-12970, SKF-96365, and EGTA, but not by nifedipine. 8-Iso-PGF2 alpha also increased Ca2+ transients in retinal endothelial cells, which were inhibited by SKF-96365 and EGTA, but not by nifedipine, whereas in smooth muscle cells U-46619, but not 8-iso-PGF2 alpha, stimulated a rise in Ca2+ transients. Finally, H2O2 + FeCl2 (in vitro) and anoxia followed by reoxygenation (in vivo) stimulated formation of 8-iso-PGF2 alpha in the retina. In conclusion, 8-iso-PGF2 alpha-induced retinal vasoconstriction is mediated by cyclooxygenase-generated formation of thromboxane and, to a lesser extent, by endothelin after Ca2+ entry into cells, possibly through receptor-operated channels. Retinal vasoconstriction to 8-isoprostanes might play a role in the genesis of ischemic retinopathies.

Increased nitric oxide synthesis and action preclude choroidal vasoconstriction to hyperoxia in newborn pigs.

We tested the hypothesis that hyperoxia does not cause adequate constriction of choroidal vessels of the newborn (1 to 5 days old) pig, resulting in increased O2 delivery to the retina, possibly due to excess production and/or effects of vasodilators such as nitric oxide (NO). Hyperoxia (100% O2, 45 minutes) led to a decrease in retinal blood flow (RBF) of both newborn and juvenile (5 to 6 weeks old) pigs and also reduced choroidal blood flow (ChBF) in juvenile but not in newborn pigs; the absence of hyperoxia-induced ChBF response in the newborn was associated with a rise in choroidal O2 delivery. Ibuprofen (prostaglandin G/H synthase inhibitor) and 1,3-dimethyl-2-thiourea (a free radical scavenger) did not modify the choroidal hemodynamic responses to hyperoxia in newborn pigs. However, in newborn animals treated with the NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), hyperoxia caused a decrease in blood flow and O2 delivery to the choroid. Consistent with these effects of L-NAME, hyperoxia induced an increase in choroidal cGMP in newborn pigs ventilated with 100% O2 and stimulated nitrite production in isolated choroids exposed to hyperoxia from newborn but not juvenile pigs; these effects were inhibited by NOS blockers. Also, both constitutive and inducible NOS activities were higher in choroidal tissues from newborn than from juvenile animals. In addition, the vasorelaxant effect of the NO donor sodium nitroprusside in vitro was also greater on choroids from newborn than from juvenile pigs. Finally, L-NAME prevented the hyperoxia-induced increase in peroxidation products in the choroid of newborns. It is concluded that hyperoxia does not lead to a decrease in blood flow and O2 delivery to the choroid of the newborn because of increased NO synthesis and effects; since the choroid is the main source of O2 supply to the retina, the present data contribute in providing an explanation for the increased susceptibility of the immature neonate to hyperoxia-induced retinopathy.