Nox2 and Nox4 influence neonatal c-kit(+) cardiac precursor cell status and differentiation.

Redox status has emerged as critical in modulating stemness and lineage commitment in several precursor cell types. However, a role for redox genes, specifically NADPH oxidases (Nox), in cardiac precursor cells (CPCs) has not been established. We tested whether CPCs marked by type III receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit (c-kit(+)) exhibit a unique NADPH oxidase signature that confers precursor status and whether alterations in this profile are functionally linked to changes in lineage specification. Dihydroethidium (DHE) microfluorography indicated reduced basal reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation within early postnatal c-kit(+) CPCs. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed downregulation of ROS generator Nox2 and its subunit p67(phox) in c-kit(+) CPCs under basal conditions but upregulation of Nox2 and Nox4 over the course of differentiation. Adenoviral silencing of Nox2 and Nox4 increased expression of CPC markers c-kit and Flk-1 and blunted smooth and cardiac muscle differentiation, respectively, while overexpression of Nox2 and Nox4 significantly reduced c-kit expression. These changes were accompanied by altered expression of transcription factors regulating cardiac lineage commitment, Gata6 and Gata4, and cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1. Similar to other precursor cell types, RT(2)Profiler PCR Arrays revealed that c-kit(+) CPCs also exhibit enhanced antioxidant capacity at the mRNA level. In conclusion, we report that c-kit(+) CPCs demonstrate reduced Nox2 expression and ROS levels and that increases in Nox2 and Nox4 influence their differentiation into mature cells. We speculate that ROS generators Nox2 and Nox4, along with the antioxidant genes identified by PCR Arrays, may be novel targets in CPCs that could prove useful in cell-based therapy of the heart.

In vivo bioluminescence imaging reveals redox-regulated activator protein-1 activation in paraventricular nucleus of mice with renovascular hypertension.

Renovascular hypertension in mice is characterized by an elevation in hypothalamic angiotensin II levels. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is a major cardioregulatory site implicated in the neurogenic component of renovascular hypertension. Increased superoxide (O(2)(-·)) production in the PVN is involved in angiotensin II-dependent neurocardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and heart failure. Here, we tested the hypothesis that excessive O(2)(-·) production and activation of the redox-regulated transcription factor activator protein-1 (AP-1) in PVN contributes to the development and maintenance of renovascular hypertension. Male C57BL/6 mice underwent implantation of radiotelemeters, bilateral PVN injections of an adenovirus (Ad) encoding superoxide dismutase (AdCuZnSOD) or a control gene (LacZ), and unilateral renal artery clipping (2-kidney, one-clip [2K1C]) or sham surgery. AP-1 activity was longitudinally monitored in vivo by bioluminescence imaging in 2K1C or sham mice that had undergone PVN-targeted microinjections of an Ad encoding the firefly luciferase (Luc) gene downstream of AP-1 response elements (AdAP-1Luc). 2K1C evoked chronic hypertension and an increase in O(2)(-·) production in the PVN. Viral delivery of CuZnSOD to the PVN not only prevented the elevation in O(2)(-·) but also abolished renovascular hypertension. 2K1C also caused a surge in AP-1 activity in the PVN, which paralleled the rise in O(2)(-·) production in this brain region, and this was prevented by treatment with AdCuZnSOD. Finally, Ad-mediated expression of a dominant-negative inhibitor of AP-1 activity in the PVN prevented 2K1C-evoked hypertension. These results implicate oxidant signaling and AP-1 transcriptional activity in the PVN as key mediators in the pathogenesis of renovascular hypertension.

Adenoviral delivery of VEGF121 early in pregnancy prevents spontaneous development of preeclampsia in BPH/5 mice.

An imbalance in circulating proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors is postulated to play a causal role in preeclampsia (PE). We have described an inbred mouse strain, BPH/5, which spontaneously develops a PE-like syndrome including late-gestational hypertension, proteinuria, and poor feto-placental outcomes. Here we tested the hypothesis that an angiogenic imbalance during pregnancy in BPH/5 mice leads to the development of PE-like phenotypes in this model. Similar to clinical findings, plasma from pregnant BPH/5 showed reduced levels of free vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and placental growth factor (PGF) compared to C57BL/6 controls. This was paralleled by a marked decrease in VEGF protein and Pgf mRNA in BPH/5 placentae. Surprisingly, antagonism by the soluble form of the FLT1 receptor (sFLT1) did not appear to be the cause of this reduction, as sFLT1 levels were unchanged or even reduced in BPH/5 compared to controls. Adenoviral-mediated delivery of VEGF(121) (Ad-VEGF) via tail vein at embryonic day 7.5 normalized both the plasma-free VEGF levels in BPH/5 and restored the in vitro angiogenic capacity of serum from these mice. Ad-VEGF also reduced the incidence of fetal resorptions and prevented the late-gestational spike in blood pressure and proteinuria observed in BPH/5. These data underscore the importance of dysregulation of angiogenic factors in the pathogenesis of PE and suggest the potential utility of early proangiogenic therapies in treating this disease.

Silencing nox4 in the paraventricular nucleus improves myocardial infarction-induced cardiac dysfunction by attenuating sympathoexcitation and periinfarct apoptosis.

RATIONALE: Myocardial infarction (MI)-induced heart failure is characterized by central nervous system-driven sympathoexcitation and deteriorating cardiac function. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus is a key regulator of sympathetic nerve activity and is implicated in heart failure. Redox signaling in the PVN and other central nervous system sites is a primary mechanism of neuro-cardiovascular regulation, and excessive oxidant production by activation of NADPH oxidases (Noxs) is implicated in some neuro-cardiovascular diseases. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that Nox-mediated redox signaling in the PVN contributes to MI-induced sympathoexcitation and cardiac dysfunction in mice. METHODS AND RESULTS: Real-time PCR revealed that Nox4 was the most abundantly expressed Nox in PVN under basal conditions. Coronary arterial ligation (MI) caused a selective upregulation of this homolog compared to Nox1 and Nox2. Adenoviral gene transfer of Nox4 (AdsiNox4) to PVN (bilateral) attenuated MI-induced superoxide formation in this brain region (day 14) to the same level as that produced by PVN-targeted gene transfer of cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase (AdCu/ZnSOD). MI mice treated with AdsiNox4 or AdCu/ZnSOD in the PVN showed marked improvement in cardiac function as assessed by echocardiography and left ventricular hemodynamic analysis. This was accompanied by significantly diminished sympathetic outflow and apoptosis in the periinfarct region of the heart. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MI causes dysregulation of Nox4-mediated redox signaling in the PVN, which leads to sympathetic overactivation and a decline in cardiac function. Targeted inhibition of oxidant signaling in the PVN could provide a novel treatment for MI-induced heart failure.

Superoxide scavenging and Akt inhibition in myocardium ameliorate pressure overload-induced NF-κB activation and cardiac hypertrophy.

Recent studies from our laboratory and others have shown that increases in cytoplasmic superoxide (O(2)(·-)) levels and Akt activation play a key role in agonist-stimulated NF-κB activation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in vitro. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that adenovirus (Ad)-mediated intramyocardial gene transfer of cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase (AdCu/ZnSOD) or a dominant-negative form of Akt (AdDNAkt) in mice would attenuate pressure overload-induced increases in activation of the redox-sensitive transcription factor NF-κB and cardiac hypertrophy. Adult C57BL/6 mice were subjected to thoracic aortic banding (TAB) or sham surgery, and intramyocardial injections of viral vectors (AdCu/ZnSOD, AdDNAkt, or control) were performed. There was robust transgene expression in the heart, which peaked 6-7 days after injection and then declined to undetectable levels by 12-14 days. In mice injected with AdBgL II, TAB caused a significant increase in O(2)(·-) generation and cardiac mass at 1 wk, and these responses were markedly attenuated by AdCu/ZnSOD. In addition, TAB induced time-dependent activation of NF-κB in the myocardium as measured longitudinally by in vivo bioluminescent imaging of NF-κB-dependent luciferase expression. This was also abolished by intracardiac AdCu/ZnSOD or AdDNAkt, but not the control vector. The inhibition of Akt and O(2)(·-)-mediated NF-κB activation in TAB hearts was associated with an attenuation of cardiac hypertrophy. Since a direct cause-and-effect relationship between NF-κB activation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy has been established previously, our data support the hypothesis that increased O(2)(·-) generation and Akt activation are key signaling intermediates in pressure overload-induced activation of NF-κB and cardiac hypertrophy.

A differential role for endocytosis in receptor-mediated activation of Nox1.

Internalization of activated receptors to a compartment enriched with NAPDH oxidase and associated signaling molecules is expected to facilitate regulation of redox-mediated signal transduction. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that endocytosis is necessary for generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by Nox1 and for redox-dependent signaling in smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Within minutes of treatment with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha or thrombin, SMCs increased cellular levels of ROS that was inhibited by shRNA to Nox1. Treatment of SMC with TNF-alpha induced a dynamin-dependent endosomal generation of ROS, whereas thrombin-mediated ROS production did not occur within endosomes and was not prevented by dominant-negative dynamin (dn-dynamin), but instead required transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-activating transcription factor-1 (ATF-1) pathway by TNF-alpha and thrombin were both Nox1- and dynamin-dependent. In conclusion, we show that formation of specific ligand-receptor complexes results in spatially distinct mechanisms of Nox1 activation and generation of ROS. These findings provide novel insights into the role of compartmentalization for integrating redox-dependent cell signaling.

Genetic silencing of Nox2 and Nox4 reveals differential roles of these NADPH oxidase homologues in the vasopressor and dipsogenic effects of brain angiotensin II.

The renin-angiotensin system exerts a tremendous influence over fluid balance and arterial pressure. Angiotensin II (Ang-II), the effector peptide of the renin-angiotensin system, acts in the central nervous system to regulate neurohumoral outflow and thirst. Dysregulation of Ang-II signaling in the central nervous system is implicated in cardiovascular diseases; however, the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Recently we established that NADPH oxidase (Nox)-derived superoxide acting in the forebrain subfornical organ is critical in the physiological responses to central Ang-II. In addition, we have found that Nox2 and Nox4 are the most abundantly expressed Nox homologues within Ang-II-sensitive sites in the forebrain. To dissect out the functional importance and unique roles of these Nox enzymes in the pressor and dipsogenic effects of central Ang-II, we developed adenoviral vectors expressing small interfering RNA to selectively silence Nox2 or Nox4 expression in the subfornical organ. Our results demonstrate that both Nox2 and Nox4 are required for the full vasopressor effects of brain Ang-II but that only Nox2 is coupled to the Ang-II-induced water intake response. These studies establish the importance of both Nox2- and Nox4-containing NADPH oxidases in the actions of Ang-II in the central nervous system and are the first to reveal differential involvement of these Nox enzymes in the various physiological effects of central Ang-II.

Scavenging superoxide selectively in mouse forebrain is associated with improved cardiac function and survival following myocardial infarction.

Dysregulation in central nervous system (CNS) signaling that results in chronic sympathetic hyperactivity is now recognized to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF) following myocardial infarction (MI). We recently demonstrated that adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase (Ad-Cu/ZnSOD) to forebrain circumventricular organs, unique sensory structures that lack a blood-brain barrier and link peripheral blood-borne signals to central nervous system cardiovascular circuits, inhibits both the MI-induced activation of these central signaling pathways and the accompanying sympathoexcitation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that this forebrain-targeted reduction in oxidative stress translates into amelioration of the post-MI decline in myocardial function and increase in mortality. Adult C57BL/6 mice underwent left coronary artery ligation or sham surgery along with forebrain-targeted gene transfer of Ad-Cu/ZnSOD or a control vector. The results demonstrate marked MI-induced increases in superoxide radical formation in one of these forebrain regions, the subfornical organ (SFO). Ad-Cu/ZnSOD targeted to this region abolished the increased superoxide levels and led to significantly improved myocardial function compared with control vector-treated mice. This was accompanied by diminished levels of cardiomyocyte apoptosis in the Ad-Cu/ZnSOD but not the control vector-treated group. These effects of superoxide scavenging with Ad-Cu/ZnSOD in the forebrain paralleled increased post-MI survival rates compared with controls. This suggests that oxidative stress in the SFO plays a critical role in the deterioration of cardiac function following MI and underscores the promise of CNS-targeted antioxidant therapy for the treatment of MI-induced HF.

Cardiovascular responses to peripheral chemoreflex activation and comparison of different methods to evaluate baroreflex gain in conscious mice using telemetry.

Peripheral chemoreceptors located in the carotid bodies are the primary sensors of systemic hypoxia. Although the pattern of responses elicited by peripheral chemoreceptor activation is well established in rats, lambs, and rabbits, the cardiovascular responses to peripheral chemoreflex activation in conscious mice have not been delineated. Here we report that stimulation of peripheral chemoreceptors by potassium cyanide (KCN) in conscious mice elicits a unique biphasic response in blood pressure that is characterized by an initial and robust rise followed by a decrease in blood pressure, which is accompanied by a marked reduction in heart rate. The depressor and bradycardic responses to KCN were abolished by muscarinic receptor blockade with atropine, and the pressor response was abolished by alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade with prazosin, suggesting that vagal and sympathetic drive to the heart and sympathetic drive to the vasculature mediate these cardiovascular responses. These studies characterized the chemoreflex in conscious mice and established the reliability of using them for studying hypoxia-related diseases such as obstructive sleep apnea. In another series of experiments, two methods for analyzing baroreflex sensitivity were compared: the classical pharmacological approach using phenylephrine and sodium nitroprusside (i.e., the Oxford technique) or the sequence method for analyzing spontaneous baroreflex activity. Our findings indicate that both methods are reliable, and the sequence method certainly has its benefits as a predictive tool in the context of long-term noninvasive studies using telemetry. However, for absolute determination of baroreflex function, analysis of spontaneous baroreflex activity should be complemented by the classical pharmacological method.

Chronic tempol prevents hypertension, proteinuria, and poor feto-placental outcomes in BPH/5 mouse model of preeclampsia.

Recently we described a mouse model, BPH/5, that spontaneously develops the hallmark clinical features of preeclampsia. BPH/5 exhibit impaired placentation before the onset of hypertension and proteinuria, supporting a causal role for the placenta in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Here we tested the hypothesis that an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) early in pregnancy results in placental abnormalities leading to the maternal symptoms of preeclampsia. We further hypothesized that chronic antioxidant therapy would ameliorate both feto-placental abnormalities and maternal symptoms. ROS levels measured by dihydroethidium revealed significant increases in oxidative stress in BPH/5 placentas at midgestation compared with C57 controls. This increase in ROS was correlated with reduced expression and activity of cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase in early and midgestation BPH/5 placentas. These abnormalities in placental oxidant factors occurred before the onset of maternal symptoms, suggesting a possible causal link between increased ROS and maternal and feto-placental pathology in this model. In support of this, chronic treatment of BPH/5 with the superoxide dismutase-mimetic Tempol throughout gestation significantly improved fetal growth and survival. Furthermore, Tempol ameliorated pregnancy-induced increases in blood pressure and proteinuria in BPH/5 mothers. We confirmed that Tempol radical was present in plasma, and it normalized ROS levels in all placental zones in BPH/5. These data for the first time demonstrate an important causative role for increased ROS in the placenta in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia in a model that spontaneously develops the disease. The results also strongly suggest the potential utility of antioxidant therapy in treating preeclampsia.

Longitudinal noninvasive monitoring of transcription factor activation in cardiovascular regulatory nuclei using bioluminescence imaging.

The ability to monitor transcription factor (TF) activation in the central nervous system (CNS) has the potential to provide novel information regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying a wide range of neurobiological processes. However, traditional biochemical assays limit the mapping of TF activity to select time points. In vivo bioluminescence imaging (BLI) has emerged as an attractive technology for visualizing internal molecular events in the same animal over time. Here, we evaluated the utility of BLI, in combination with virally mediated delivery of reporter constructs to cardiovascular nuclei, for monitoring of TF activity in these discrete brain regions. Following viral gene transfer of NF-kappaB-driven luciferase reporter to the subfornical organ (SFO), BLI enabled daily measurements of baseline TF activity in the same animal for 1 mo. Importantly, systemic endotoxin, a stimulator of NF-kappaB activity, induced dramatic and dose-dependent increases in NF-kappaB-dependent bioluminescence in the SFO up to 30 days after gene transfer. Cotreatment with a dominant-negative IkappaBalpha mutant significantly prevented endotoxin-dependent NF-kappaB activation, confirming the specificity of the bioluminescence signal. NF-kappaB-dependent luminescence signals were also stable and inducible 1 mo following delivery of luciferase reporter construct to the paraventricular nucleus or rostral ventrolateral medulla. Lastly, using targeted adenoviral delivery of an AP-1 responsive luciferase reporter, we showed similar baseline and endotoxin-induced AP-1 activity in these same brain regions as with NF-kappaB reporters. These results demonstrate that BLI, in combination with virally mediated gene transfer, is a powerful method for longitudinal monitoring and quantification of TF activity in targeted CNS nuclei in vivo.

Reactive oxygen species in the neuropathogenesis of hypertension.

New evidence that has emerged during the past several years clearly demonstrates that reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain play a crucial role in blood pressure regulation by serving as signaling molecules within neurons of cardiovascular control regions. In the forebrain, midbrain, and hindbrain, a key role for oxidant stress in the pathogenesis of angiotensin II-dependent and various other models of neurogenic hypertension has also been uncovered. As in the peripheral vasculature, NAD(P)H oxidase appears to be a major enzymatic source of brain ROS, and various homologues of the catalytic subunit of this enzyme appear to be differentially localized to cardiovascular-regulating nuclei in the brain. Recent studies have begun to elucidate the downstream effects of ROS in neurons, and it is now clear that ROS may interact with a number of well-described intracellular signaling pathways involved in neuronal activation. These exciting new discoveries have furthered our understanding of the pathogenesis of neurogenic hypertension and may ultimately lead to the development of new treatments. In this review, we discuss recent evidence in support of a role for brain ROS in the pathogenesis of hypertension and summarize current studies aimed at uncovering the complex mechanisms by which brain ROS regulate blood pressure in both health and cardiovascular disease.

Genetic ablation of angiotensinogen in the subfornical organ of the brain prevents the central angiotensinergic pressor response.

The subfornical organ (SFO) of the brain has long been considered a critical integrating center for the cardiovascular actions of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). Early reports of angiotensin II (Ang II) immunoreactivity in the SFO and its neural projections to downstream cardiovascular nuclei raised the possibility that Ang II is produced locally and functions as a putative neurotransmitter in these circuits. However, evidence of functionally significant de novo synthesis of Ang II in the SFO has been lacking. Here, implementing spatiotemporally restricted gene ablation by way of the Cre recombinase/loxP system, we provide the first direct evidence that the local RAS in the SFO has a critical role in blood pressure regulation. Using a transgenic mouse harboring an angiotensinogen (AGT) gene modified for Cre-mediated deletion (hAGT(flox)), in combination with gene transfer of an adenovirus encoding Cre targeted to the SFO, we show that deletion of the Ang II substrate in this brain region nearly abolishes the pressor and bradycardic effects of renin infused in the CNS. Immunohistochemical analyses verified intense and restricted expression of Cre in the SFO, which paralleled the decrease in AGT expression selectively in this site. Further physiological studies confirmed the integrity of central angiotensinergic and nonangiotensinergic cardiovascular response systems in the Cre-treated mice. In addition to establishing that AGT expression in the SFO and its local conversion to Ang II has a profound effect on blood pressure, this study provides proof-of-principle of the utility of this approach for dissecting the brain RAS and other complex systems in CNS cardiovascular circuits.

NADPH oxidases of the brain: distribution, regulation, and function.

The NADPH oxidase is a multi-subunit enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of molecular oxygen to form superoxide (O(2)(-)). While classically linked to the respiratory burst in neutrophils, recent evidence now shows that O(2)(-) (and associated reactive oxygen species, ROS) generated by NADPH oxidase in nonphagocytic cells serves myriad functions in health and disease. An entire new family of NADPH Oxidase (Nox) homologues has emerged, which vary widely in cell and tissue distribution, as well as in function and regulation. A major concept in redox signaling is that while NADPH oxidase-derived ROS are necessary for normal cellular function, excessive oxidative stress can contribute to pathological disease. This certainly is true in the central nervous system (CNS), where normal NADPH oxidase function appears to be required for processes such as neuronal signaling, memory, and central cardiovascular homeostasis, but overproduction of ROS contributes to neurotoxicity, neurodegeneration, and cardiovascular diseases. Despite implications of NADPH oxidase in normal and pathological CNS processes, still relatively little is known about the mechanisms involved. This paper summarizes the evidence for NADPH oxidase distribution, regulation, and function in the CNS, emphasizing the diversity of Nox isoforms and their new and emerging role in neuro-cardiovascular function. In addition, perspectives for future research and novel therapeutic targets are offered.

Nox2-containing NADPH oxidase and Akt activation play a key role in angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.

Angiotensin II (ANG II) has profound effects on the development and progression of pathological cardiac hypertrophy; however, the intracellular signaling mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we used genetic tools to test the hypothesis that increased formation of superoxide (O2-*) radicals from a Rac1-regulated Nox2-containing NADPH oxidase is a key upstream mediator of ANG II-induced activation of serine-threonine kinase Akt, and that this signaling cascade plays a crucial role in ANG II-dependent cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. ANG II caused a significant time-dependent increase in Rac1 activation and O2-* production in primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, and these responses were abolished by adenoviral (Ad)-mediated expression of a dominant-negative Rac1 (AdN17Rac1) or cytoplasmic Cu/ZnSOD (AdCu/ZnSOD). Moreover, both AdN17Rac1 and AdCu/ZnSOD significantly attenuated ANG II-stimulated increases in cardiomyocyte size. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that Nox2 is the homolog expressed at highest levels in primary neonatal cardiomyocytes, and small interference RNA (siRNA) directed against it selectively decreased Nox2 expression by >95% and abolished both ANG II-induced O2-* generation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Finally, ANG II caused a time-dependent increase in Akt activity via activation of AT(1) receptors, and this response was abolished by Ad-mediated expression of cytosolic human O2-* dismutase (AdCu/ZnSOD). Furthermore, pretreatment of cardiomyocytes with dominant-negative Akt (AdDNAkt) abolished ANG II-induced cellular hypertrophy. These findings suggest that O2-* generated by a Nox2-containing NADPH oxidase is a central mediator of ANG II-induced Akt activation and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and that dysregulation of this signaling cascade may play an important role in cardiac hypertrophy.

Newborn lamb coronary artery reactivity is programmed by early gestation dexamethasone before the onset of systemic hypertension.

Exposure of the early gestation ovine fetus to exogenous glucocorticoids induces organ-specific alterations in postnatal cardiovascular physiology. To determine whether early gestation corticosteroid exposure alters coronary reactivity before the development of systemic hypertension, dexamethasone (0.28 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) was administered to pregnant ewes by intravenous infusion over 48 h beginning at 27 days gestation (term, 145 days). Vascular responsiveness was assessed in endothelium-intact coronary arteries isolated from 1-wk-old steroid-exposed and age-matched control lambs (N = 6). Calcium imaging was performed in fura 2-loaded primary cultures of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from the harvested coronary arteries. Early gestation steroid exposure did not significantly alter mean arterial blood pressure or coronary reactivity to KCl, thromboxane A(2) mimetic U-46619, or ANG II. Steroid exposure significantly increased coronary artery vasoconstriction to acetylcholine and endothelin-1. Vasodilatation to adenosine, but not nitroprusside or forskolin, was significantly attenuated following early gestation steroid exposure. Endothelin-1 or U-46619 stimulation resulted in a comparable increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) in coronary VSMC isolated from either dexamethasone-treated or control animals. However, the ANG II- or KCl-mediated increase in [Ca(2+)](i) in control VSMC was significantly attenuated in VSMC harvested from dexamethasone-treated lambs. Coronary expression of muscle voltage-gated l-type calcium channel alpha-1 subunit protein was not significantly altered by steroid exposure, whereas endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression was attenuated. These findings demonstrate that early gestation glucocorticoid exposure elicits primary alterations in coronary responsiveness before the development of systemic hypertension. Glucocorticoid-induced alterations in coronary physiology may provide a mechanistic link between an adverse intrauterine environment and later cardiovascular disease.

Tempol therapy attenuates medial smooth muscle cell apoptosis and neointima formation after balloon catheter injury in carotid artery of diabetic rats.

Accumulating data support the hypothesis that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in the vascular complications observed in diabetes. However, the mechanisms of ROS-mediated vascular complications in diabetes are not clear. We tested the hypothesis that ROS-mediated increase in proapoptotic factor Bax expression leads to medial smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis that is associated with neointima formation. We used a fructose-rich diet for 4 wk to model Type 2 diabetes in rats. SOD mimetic membrane-permeable 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6,-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (Tempol, 1 mM) was administered in drinking water to scavenge superoxide starting 1 day before surgery and continued during the duration of the experiment. Vascular injury resulted in a significant increase in medial SMC apoptosis that was associated with neointima formation. The number of medial SMC positive for Bax immunostaining significantly increased in injured arteries compared with uninjured arteries. Superoxide scavenging by Tempol treatment inhibited both the Bax-positive index as well as the apoptotic index of medial SMC in response to vascular injury. Tempol treatment inhibited apoptotic loss of medial SMC, thus increasing their density in the injured arteries. These alterations in the media were associated with a marked decrease in neointima formation in injured arteries. We conclude that Bax expression may play an important role in vascular SMC apoptosis and, finally, that this regulatory mechanism is redox sensitive.

Superoxide mediates angiotensin II-induced influx of extracellular calcium in neural cells.

We recently demonstrated that superoxide (O2*-) is a key signaling intermediate in central angiotensin II (Ang II)-elicited blood pressure and drinking responses, and that hypertension caused by systemic Ang II infusion involves oxidative stress in cardiovascular nuclei of the brain. Intracellular Ca2+ is known to play an important role in Ang II signaling in neurons, and it is also linked to reactive oxygen species mechanisms in neurons and other cell types. However, the potential cross-talk between Ang II, O2*-, and Ca2+ in neural cells remains unknown. Using mouse neuroblastoma Neuro-2A cells, we tested the hypothesis that O2*- radicals are involved in the Ang II-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in neurons. Ang II caused a rapid time-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i that was abolished in cells bathed in Ca2+-free medium or by pretreatment with the nonspecific voltage-gated Ca2+ channel blocker CdCl2, suggesting that voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels are the primary source of Ang II-induced increases in [Ca2+]i in this cell type. Overexpression of cytoplasm-targeted O2*- dismutase via an adenoviral vector (AdCuZnSOD) efficiently scavenged Ang II-induced increases in intracellular O2*- and markedly attenuated the increase in [Ca2+]i caused by this peptide. Furthermore, adenoviral-mediated expression of a dominant-negative isoform of Rac1 (AdN17Rac1), a critical component for NADPH oxidase activation and O2*- production, significantly inhibited the increase in [Ca2+]i after Ang II stimulation. These data provide the first evidence that O2*- is involved in the Ang II-stimulated influx of extracellular Ca2+ in neural cells and suggest a potential intracellular signaling mechanism involved in Ang II-mediated oxidant regulation of central neural control of blood pressure.

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase activity by TIMP-1 gene transfer effectively treats ischemic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been associated with extracellular matrix degradation and ischemic heart failure in animal models and human patients. This study evaluated the effects of MMP inhibition by gene transfer of TIMP-1 in a rat model of ischemic cardiomyopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rats underwent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery with direct intramyocardial injection of replication-deficient adenovirus encoding TIMP-1 (n=8) or null virus as control vector (n=8), and animals were analyzed after 6 weeks. Both systolic and diastolic cardiac function was significantly preserved in the TIMP-1 group compared with control animals (maximum left ventricular [LV] pressure: TIMP-1 70+/-10 versus control 56+/-12 mmHg, P<0.05; maximum dP/dt 2697+/-842 versus 1622+/-527 mmHg/sec, P<0.01; minimum dP/dt -2900+/-917 versus -1195+/-593, P<0.001). Ventricular geometry was significantly preserved in the TIMP-1 group (LV diameter 13.0+/-0.7 versus control 14.4+/-0.4 mm, P<0.001; border-zone wall thickness 1.59+/-0.11 versus control 1.28+/-0.19 mm, P<0.05), and this was associated with a reduction in myocardial fibrosis (2.36+/-0.87 versus control 3.89+/-1.79 microg hydroxyproline/mg tissue, P<0.05). MMP activity was reduced in the TIMP-1 animals (1.5+/-0.9 versus control 43.1+/-14.9 ng of MMP-1 activity, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TIMP-1 gene transfer inhibits MMP activity and preserves cardiac function and geometry in ischemic cardiomyopathy. The reduction in myocardial fibrosis may be primarily responsible for the improved diastolic function in treated animals. TIMP-1 overexpression is a promising therapeutic target for continued investigation.

Requirement for Rac1-dependent NADPH oxidase in the cardiovascular and dipsogenic actions of angiotensin II in the brain.

We have shown that intracellular superoxide (O(2)(*-)) production in CNS neurons plays a key role in the pressor, bradycardic, and dipsogenic actions of Ang II in the brain. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a Rac1-dependent NADPH oxidase is a key source of O(2)(*-) in Ang II-sensitive neurons and is involved in these central Ang II-dependent effects. We performed both in vitro and in vivo studies using adenoviral (Ad)-mediated expression of dominant-negative Rac1 (AdN17Rac1) to inhibit Ang II-stimulated Rac1 activation, an obligatory step in NADPH oxidase activation. Ang II induced a time-dependent increase in Rac1 activation and O(2)(*-) production in Neuro-2A cells, and this was abolished by pretreatment with AdN17Rac1 or the NADPH oxidase inhibitors apocynin or diphenylene iodonium. AdN17Rac1 also inhibited Ang II-induced increases in NADPH oxidase activity in primary neurons cultured from central cardiovascular control regions. In contrast, overexpression of wild-type Rac1 (AdwtRac1) caused more robust NADPH oxidase-dependent O(2)(*-) production to Ang II. To extend the in vitro studies, the pressor, bradycardic, and drinking responses to intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected Ang II were measured in mice that had undergone gene transfer of AdN17Rac1 or AdwtRac1 to the brain. AdN17Rac1 abolished the increase in blood pressure, decrease in heart rate, and drinking response induced by ICV injection of Ang II, whereas AdwtRac1 enhanced these physiological effects. The exaggerated physiological responses in AdwtRac1-treated mice were abolished by O(2)(*-) scavenging. These results, for the first time, identify a Rac1-dependent NADPH oxidase as the source of central Ang II-induced O(2)(*-) production, and implicate this oxidase in cardiovascular diseases associated with dysregulation of brain Ang II signaling, including hypertension.