Cholesterol depletion inhibits epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells: role of cholesterol-rich microdomains and focal adhesions in angiotensin II signaling.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) induces transactivation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGF-R), which serves as a scaffold for various signaling molecules in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Cholesterol and sphingomyelin-enriched lipid rafts are plasma membrane microdomains that concentrate various signaling molecules. Caveolae are specialized lipid rafts that are organized by the cholesterol-binding protein, caveolin, and have been shown to be associated with EGF-Rs. Angiotensin II stimulation promotes a rapid movement of AT(1) receptors to caveolae; however, their functional role in angiotensin II signaling has not been elucidated. Here we show that cholesterol depletion by beta-cyclodextrin disrupts caveolae structure and concomitantly inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF-R and subsequent activation of protein kinase B (PKB)/Akt induced by angiotensin II. Similar inhibitory effects were obtained with other cholesterol-binding agents, filipin and nystatin. In contrast, EGF-R autophosphorylation and activation of Akt/PKB in response to EGF are not affected by cholesterol depletion. The early Ang II-induced upstream signaling events responsible for transactivation of the EGF-R, such as the intracellular Ca(2+) increase and c-Src activation, also remain intact. The EGF-R initially binds caveolin, but these two proteins rapidly dissociate following angiotensin II stimulation during the time when EGF-R transactivation is observed. The activated EGF-R is localized in focal adhesions together with tyrosine-phosphorylated caveolin. These findings suggest that 1) a scaffolding role of caveolin is essential for EGF-R transactivation by angiotensin II and 2) cholesterol-rich microdomains as well as focal adhesions are important signal-organizing compartments required for the spatial and temporal organization of angiotensin II signaling in VSMCs.

Epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation by angiotensin II requires reactive oxygen species in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a vasoactive hormone with critical roles in vascular smooth muscle cell growth, an important feature of hypertension and atherosclerosis. Many of these effects are dependent on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ang II induces phosphorylation of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGF-R), which serves as a scaffold for various signaling molecules. Here, we provide novel evidence that ROS are critical mediators of EGF-R transactivation by Ang II. Pretreatment of vascular smooth muscle cells with the antioxidants diphenylene iodonium, Tiron, N-acetylcysteine, and ebselen significantly inhibited ( approximately 80% to 90%) tyrosine phosphorylation of the EGF-R by Ang II but not by EGF. Of the 5 autophosphorylation sites on the EGF-R, Ang II mainly phosphorylated Tyr1068 and Tyr1173 in a redox-sensitive manner. The Src family kinase inhibitor PP1, overexpression of kinase-inactive c-Src, or chelation of intracellular Ca(2+) attenuated EGF-R transactivation. Although antioxidants had no effects on the Ca(2+) mobilization or phosphorylation of Ca(2+)-dependent tyrosine kinase Pyk2, they inhibited c-Src activation by Ang II, suggesting that c-Src is 1 signaling molecule that links ROS and EGF-R phosphorylation. Furthermore, Ang II-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the autophosphorylation site and the SH2 domain of c-Src was redox sensitive. These findings emphasize the importance of ROS in specific Ang II-stimulated growth-related signaling pathways and suggest that redox-sensitive EGF-R transactivation may be a potential target for antioxidant therapy in vascular disease.

Modulation of protein kinase activity and gene expression by reactive oxygen species and their role in vascular physiology and pathophysiology.

Emerging evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species, especially superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, are important signaling molecules in cardiovascular cells. Their production is regulated by hormone-sensitive enzymes such as the vascular NAD(P)H oxidases, and their metabolism is coordinated by antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Both of these reactive oxygen species serve as second messengers to activate multiple intracellular proteins and enzymes, including the epidermal growth factor receptor, c-Src, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, Ras, and Akt/protein kinase B. Activation of these signaling cascades and redox-sensitive transcription factors leads to induction of many genes with important functional roles in the physiology and pathophysiology of vascular cells. Thus, reactive oxygen species participate in vascular smooth muscle cell growth and migration; modulation of endothelial function, including endothelium-dependent relaxation and expression of a proinflammatory phenotype; and modification of the extracellular matrix. All of these events play important roles in vascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis, suggesting that the sources of reactive oxygen species and the signaling pathways that they modify may represent important therapeutic targets.

Reactive oxygen species as mediators of angiotensin II signaling.

Angiotensin II stimulates a plethora of signaling pathways leading to cell growth and contraction. Recent work has shown that reactive oxygen species are involved in transducing many of the effects of angiotensin II, and are in fact produced in response to agonist-receptor binding. Angiotensin II stimulates a NAD(P)H oxidase to produce superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, both of which may act on intracellular growth-related proteins and enzymes to mediate the final physiological response. Of particular importance is hydrogen peroxide, which mediates angiotensin II stimulation of such important intracellular signals as EGF-receptor transactivation, p38 mitogen activated protein kinase, and Akt. Future work will be directed towards identifying other important redox-sensitive signaling pathways and their relationship to the physiology and pathophysiology of the renin-angiotensin system.

Regulation of the vascular extracellular superoxide dismutase by nitric oxide and exercise training.

The bioactivity of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) reflects its rates of production and of inactivation by superoxide (O(2)(*-)), a reactive species dismutated by extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD). We have now examined the complementary hypothesis, namely that NO modulates ecSOD expression. The NO donor DETA-NO increased ecSOD expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner in human aortic smooth muscle cells. This effect was prevented by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor ODQ and by the protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor Rp-8-CPT-cGMP. Expression of ecSOD was also increased by 8-bromo-cGMP, but not by 8-bromo-cAMP. Interestingly, the effect of NO on ecSOD expression was prevented by inhibition of the MAP kinase p38 but not of the MAP kinase kinase p42/44, suggesting that NO modulates ecSOD expression via cGMP/PKG and p38MAP kinase-dependent pathways, but not through p42/44MAP kinase. In aortas from mice lacking the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), ecSOD was reduced more than twofold compared to controls. Treadmill exercise training increased eNOS and ecSOD expression in wild-type mice but had no effect on ecSOD expression in mice lacking eNOS, suggesting that this effect of exercise is meditated by endothelium-derived NO. Upregulation of ecSOD expression by NO may represent an important feed-forward mechanism whereby endothelial NO stimulates ecSOD expression in adjacent smooth muscle cells, thus preventing O(2)(*-)-mediated degradation of NO as it traverses between the two cell types.

Changes in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and Ca(2+)-sensitivity of the contractile apparatus during angiotensin II-induced desensitization in the rabbit femoral artery.

1. To investigate the underlying mechanism for the angiotensin II-induced desensitization of the contractile response during the prolonged stimulation of the vascular smooth muscle, we determined the effects of angiotensin-II on (1) cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and tension using fura-2-loaded medial strips of the rabbit femoral artery, (2) 45Ca2+ influx in ring preparations, and (3) Ca(2+)-sensitivity of the contractile apparatus in alpha-toxin permeabilized preparations. 2. In the presence of extracellular Ca2+, high concentrations of angiotensin-II elicited biphasic increases in [Ca2+]i and tension, which consisted of initial transient and subsequent lower and sustained phases. 3. The 45Ca2+ influx initially increased after the application of 10(-6) M angiotensin-II, and thereafter gradually decreased. At 20 min after the application, there was a discrepancy between the level of [Ca2+]i and the extent of 45Ca2+ influx. 4. The relationships between [Ca2+]i and tension suggested that the angiotensin-II-induced increase in the Ca(2+)-sensitivity of the contractile apparatus was maintained during the desensitization of smooth muscle contraction. 5. When 10(-6) M angiotensin-II was applied during the sustained phase of contraction induced by 118 mm K(+)-depolarization, at 10 min after the application, the [Ca2+]i levels were significantly lower and the tension levels were significantly higher than those prior to the application of angiotensin-II. 6. In conclusion, the decrease in [Ca2+]i, which is partially due to the inhibition of the Ca2+ influx, is mainly responsible for the desensitization evoked by high concentrations of angiotensin-II, and angiotensin-II seems to activate additional mechanisms which inhibit Ca2+ signaling during prolonged stimulation.

The mechanism of the decrease in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations induced by angiotensin II in the high K(+)-depolarized rabbit femoral artery.

1. Using front-surface fluorometry of fura-2-loaded strips, and measuring the transmembrane 45Ca2+ fluxes of ring preparations of the rabbit femoral artery, the mechanism underlying a sustained decrease in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) induced by angiotensin II (AT-II) was investigated. 2. The application of AT-II during steady-state 118 mM K(+)-induced contractions caused a sustained decrease in [Ca2+]i following a rapid and transient increase in [Ca2+]i, while the tension was transiently enhanced. 3. When the intracellular Ca2+ stores were depleted by thapsigargin, the initial rapid and transient increase in [Ca2+]i was abolished, however, neither the sustained decrease in [Ca2+]i nor the enhancement of tension were affected. 4. Depolarization with 118 mM K+ physiological salt solution containing 1.25 mM Ba2+ induced a sustained increase in both the cytosolic Ba2+ concentration ([Ba2+]i) level and tension. However, the application of 10(-6) M AT-II during sustained Ba(2+)-contractions was found to have no effect on [Ba2+]i, but it did enhance tension. 5. After thapsigargin treatment, AT-II neither decreased nor increased the enhanced Ca2+ efflux rate induced by 118 mM K(+)-depolarization, whereas AT-II did increase the enhanced 45Ca2+ influx and the 45Ca2+ net uptake induced by 118 mM K(+)-depolarization. 6. Pretreatment with calphostin-C, partially, but significantly inhibited the decrease in [Ca2+]i induced by AT-II. 7. These findings therefore suggest that AT-II stimulates Ca2+ sequestration into the thapsigargin-insensitive Ca2+ stores, and thus induces a decrease in [Ca2+]i in the high external K(+)-stimulated rabbit femoral artery.

NAD(P)H oxidase: role in cardiovascular biology and disease.

Reactive oxygen species have emerged as important molecules in cardiovascular function. Recent work has shown that NAD(P)H oxidases are major sources of superoxide in vascular cells and myocytes. The biochemical characterization, activation paradigms, structure, and function of this enzyme are now partly understood. Vascular NAD(P)H oxidases share some, but not all, characteristics of the neutrophil enzyme. In response to growth factors and cytokines, they produce superoxide, which is metabolized to hydrogen peroxide, and both of these reactive oxygen species serve as second messengers to activate multiple intracellular signaling pathways. The vascular NAD(P)H oxidases have been found to be essential in the physiological response of vascular cells, including growth, migration, and modification of the extracellular matrix. They have also been linked to hypertension and to pathological states associated with uncontrolled growth and inflammation, such as atherosclerosis.

Convergence of redox-sensitive and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-mediated monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 induction in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is an important component of the inflammatory response of the vessel wall and has been shown to be regulated by cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). However, the precise signaling pathways leading to MCP-1 induction have not been fully elucidated in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Cytokine signal transduction involves protein kinases as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS). The relation between these 2 factors is not clear. In this study, we show that TNF-alpha induces a parallel phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and increases MCP-1 mRNA expression in cultured VSMCs. Inhibition of ERK1/2 but not p38MAPK caused a partial attenuation of MCP-1 induction (43+/-10% inhibition). Incubation of VSMCs with multiple antioxidants (diphenylene iodonium, liposomal superoxide dismutase, catalase, N-acetylcysteine, dimethylthiourea, and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate) had no effect on TNF-alpha-mediated MCP-1 upregulation. However, simultaneous blockade of the ERK1/2 and ROS pathways by using PD098059 combined with diphenylene iodonium or N-acetylcysteine potently enhanced the ability of MAPK kinase inhibitors to abrogate MCP-1 mRNA expression (100+/-2% inhibition). Thus, parallel ROS-dependent and ERK1/2-dependent pathways converge to regulate TNF-alpha-induced MCP-1 gene expression in VSMCs. These data unmask a complex but organized integration of ROS and protein kinases that mediates cytokine-induced vascular inflammatory gene expression.

Specific regulation of RGS2 messenger RNA by angiotensin II in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.

The effects of angiotensin II (Ang II) are mediated primarily by Ang II type 1 receptors, which in turn are coupled to heterotrimeric G proteins. After receptor activation, the G(alpha) and G(betagamma) subunits dissociate, contributing to the signaling cascades involving protein kinase C (PKC) activation. Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS proteins) comprise a class of proteins that have been shown to negatively regulate the G(alpha) subunit. We examined which RGS sequences were expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells and which of these were regulated by Ang II. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed that of 16 RGS sequences screened, six RGS transcripts (RGS2, 3, 10, 11, and 12 and GAIP) were present. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that RGS3, 10, and 12 and GAIP were not regulated by Ang II at the mRNA level. In contrast, RGS2 mRNA was rapidly and dose dependently increased (395 +/- 24% peak, 45 min) by Ang II but returned to baseline level by 6 to 8 h. Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate, a PKC activator, robustly increased RGS2. This signal was attenuated by the PKC inhibitor GF 109203X (50 +/- 4%) and by phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate-mediated down-regulation of PKC (48 +/- 13%). Tyrosine kinase inhibition and calcium deprivation did not affect the up-regulation of RGS2 mRNA after Ang II stimulation. Actinomycin D treatment inhibited both Ang II- and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate-stimulated RGS2 up-regulation, suggesting activation of transcription by these agonists. The stability of RGS2 mRNA did not appear to be affected by Ang II. Thus, RGS2 is a likely candidate for negative regulation of the G proteins coupled to the Ang II type 1 receptor in vascular smooth muscle cells. Regulation of this protein may be of critical importance in modulating the role of Ang II in vascular disease.

Reactive oxygen species mediate the activation of Akt/protein kinase B by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Angiotensin II, a hypertrophic/anti-apoptotic hormone, utilizes reactive oxygen species (ROS) as growth-related signaling molecules in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Recently, the cell survival protein kinase Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) was proposed to be involved in protein synthesis. Here we show that angiotensin II causes rapid phosphorylation of Akt/PKB (6- +/- 0.4-fold increase). Exogenous H(2)O(2) (50-200 microM) also stimulates Akt/PKB phosphorylation (maximal 8- +/- 0.2-fold increase), suggesting that Akt/PKB activation is redox-sensitive. Both angiotensin II and H(2)O(2) stimulation of Akt/PKB are abrogated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 (2(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one), suggesting that PI3-K is an upstream mediator of Akt/PKB activation in VSMCs. Furthermore, diphenylene iodonium, an inhibitor of flavin-containing oxidases, or overexpression of catalase to block angiotensin II-induced intracellular H(2)O(2) production significantly inhibits angiotensin II-induced Akt/PKB phosphorylation, indicating a role for ROS in agonist-induced Akt/PKB activation. In VSMCs infected with dominant-negative Akt/PKB, angiotensin II-stimulated [(3)H]leucine incorporation is attenuated. Thus, our studies indicate that Akt/PKB is part of the remarkable spectrum of angiotensin II signaling pathways and provide insight into the highly organized signaling mechanisms coordinated by ROS, which mediate the hypertrophic response to angiotensin II in VSMCs.

Modulation of extracellular superoxide dismutase expression by angiotensin II and hypertension.

Angiotensin II and hypertension increase vascular oxidant stress. We examined how these might affect expression of the extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD), a major form of vascular SOD. In mice, angiotensin II infusion (1.1 mg/kg for 7 days) increased systolic blood pressure from 107+/-3 to 152+/-9 mm Hg and caused a 3-fold increase in ecSOD, but there was no change in the cytosolic Cu/Zn SOD protein, as determined by Western blot analysis. This was associated with a similar increase in ecSOD mRNA as assessed by RNase protection assay and was prevented by losartan. Induction of ecSOD by angiotensin II was not due to hypertension alone, because hypertension caused by norepinephrine (5.6 mg. kg-1. d-1) had no effect on ecSOD. Similarly, exposure of mouse aortas to angiotensin II (100 nmol/L) in organoid culture increased ecSOD by approximately 2-fold. In the organoid culture, angiotensin II-induced upregulation of ecSOD was prevented by losartan (10 micromol/L) and PD985059 (30 micromol/L), a specific inhibitor of p42/44 MAP kinase kinase. Angiotensin II activates the NADH/NADPH oxidase; however, diphenyleneiodonium chloride (10 micromol/L), an inhibitor of this oxidase, did not prevent p42/44 MAP kinase phosphorylation or ecSOD induction by angiotensin II. Finally, in human aortic smooth muscle cells, angiotensin II moderately increased transcriptional rate (as assessed by nuclear run-on analysis) but markedly increased ecSOD mRNA stability. Thus, angiotensin II increases ecSOD expression independent of hypertension, and this increase involves both an increase in ecSOD transcription and stabilization of ecSOD mRNA. This effect of angiotensin II on ecSOD expression may modulate the oxidative state of the vessel wall in pathological processes in which the renin-angiotensin system is activated.

Angiotensin II receptor coupling to phospholipase D is mediated by the betagamma subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins in vascular smooth muscle cells.

In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), activation of phospholipase D (PLD) by angiotensin II (Ang II) represents a major source of sustained generation of second messengers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms controlling activation of this pathway is essential to clarify the complexities of Ang II signaling, but the most proximal mechanisms coupling AT1 receptors to PLD have not been defined. Here we examine the role of heterotrimeric G proteins in AT1 receptor-PLD coupling. In alpha-toxin permeabilized VSMCs, GTPgammaS enhanced Ang II-stimulated PLD activation. In intact cells, Ang II activation of PLD was pertussis toxin-insensitive and was not additive with sodium fluoride, a cell-permeant activator of heterotrimeric G proteins, indicating that AT1 receptor-PLD coupling requires pertussis toxin-insensitive heterotrimeric G proteins. Ang II-stimulated PLD activity was significantly inhibited in VSMCs electroporated with anti-Gbeta antibody (56 +/- 5%) and in cells overexpressing the Gbetagamma-binding region of the carboxyl terminus of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase1 (79 +/- 8%), suggesting a critical role for Gbetagamma in PLD activation by Ang II. This effect may be mediated by pp60(c-src), because in beta-adrenergic receptor kinase1 overexpressing cells, pp60(c-src) activation was inhibited, and in normal cells anti-pp60(c-src) antibody inhibited Ang II-stimulated PLD activity. Galpha12 may also contribute to AT1 receptor-PLD coupling because electroporation of anti-Galpha12 antibody significantly inhibited PLD activity, whereas anti-Galphai and Galphaq/11 antibodies had no effect. Furthermore, electroporation of anti-RhoA antibody also attenuated Ang II-induced PLD activation, suggesting a role for small molecular weight G protein RhoA in this response. Thus, we provide evidence here that Gbetagamma as well as Galpha12 subunits mediate AT1 receptor coupling to tonic PLD activation via pp60(c-src)-dependent mechanisms, and that RhoA is involved in these signaling pathways in rat VSMCs. These results may provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying the highly organized, complex, chronic signaling programs associated with vascular smooth muscle growth and remodeling in response to Ang II.

Arachidonic acid metabolites mediate angiotensin II-induced NADH/NADPH oxidase activity and hypertrophy in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Previously, we showed that angiotensin II stimulation of the NADH/NADPH oxidase is involved in hypertrophy of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Here, we examine the pathways leading to oxidase activation, and demonstrate that arachidonic acid metabolites mediate hypertrophy by activating the p22phox-based NADH/NADPH oxidase. Angiotensin II stimulates phospholipase A2, releasing arachidonic acid, which stimulates oxidase activity in vitro. When arachidonic acid metabolism is blocked with 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraynoic acid (ETYA) or nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), oxidase activity decreases by 80 +/- 10%. In VSMC transfected with antisense p22phox to attenuate NADH/NADPH oxidase expression, arachidonic acid is unable to stimulate NADH/NADPH-dependent superoxide production. In these cells, or in cells in which NADH/NADPH oxidase activity is inhibited by diphenylene iodonium, angiotensin II-induced [3H]leucine incorporation is also inhibited. Attenuation of oxidase activation by inhibiting arachidonic acid metabolism with ETYA, NDGA, baicalein, or SKF-525A also inhibits angiotensin II-stimulated protein synthesis (74 +/- 2% and 34 +/- 1%, respectively). Thus, endogenous noncyclooxygenase arachidonic acid metabolites mediate angiotensin II-stimulated protein synthesis in cultured VSMC by activating the NADH/NADPH oxidase, providing mechanistic evidence for redox control of VSMC hypertrophy.

Role of NADH/NADPH oxidase-derived H2O2 in angiotensin II-induced vascular hypertrophy.

Recent evidence suggests that oxidative mechanisms may be involved in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hypertrophy. We previously showed that angiotensin II (Ang II) increases superoxide production by activating an NADH/NADPH oxidase, which contributes to hypertrophy. In this study, we determined whether Ang II stimulation of this oxidase results in H2O2 production by studying the effects of Ang II on intracellular H2O2 generation, intracellular superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, and hypertrophy. Ang II (100 nmol/L) significantly increased intracellular H2O2 levels at 4 hours. Neither superoxide dismutase activity nor catalase activity was affected by Ang II; the SOD present in VSMCs is sufficient to metabolize Ang II-stimulated superoxide to H2O2, which accumulates more rapidly than it is degraded by catalase. This increase in H2O2 was inhibited by extracellular catalase, diphenylene iodonium, an inhibitor of the NADH/NADPH oxidase, and the AT1 receptor blocker losartan. In VSMCs stably transfected with antisense p22phox, a critical component of the NADH/NADPH oxidase in which oxidase activity was markedly reduced, Ang II-induced production of H2O2 was almost completely inhibited, confirming that the source of Ang II-induced H2O2 was the NADH/NADPH oxidase. Using a novel cell line that stably overexpresses catalase, we showed that this increased H2O2 is a critical step in VSMC hypertrophy, a hallmark of many vascular diseases. Inhibition of intracellular superoxide dismutase by diethylthiocarbamate (1 mmol/L) also resulted in attenuation of Ang II-induced hypertrophy (62+/-2% inhibition). These data indicate that AT1 receptor-mediated production of superoxide generated by the NADH/NADPH oxidase is followed by an increase in intracellular H2O2, suggesting a specific role for these oxygen species and scavenging systems in modifying the intracellular redox state in vascular growth.

Temporal dispersion of activation of phospholipase C-beta1 and -gamma isoforms by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells. Role of alphaq/11, alpha12, and beta gamma G protein subunits.

Activation of phospholipase C (PLC) is one of the earliest events in angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 (AT1) receptor (R)-mediated signal transduction in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The coupling mechanisms of AT1 Rs to PLC, however, are controversial, because both tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma and G protein-dependent PLC-beta activation pathways have been reported. The expression of PLC-beta1, furthermore, has not been consistently demonstrated in VSMCs. Here we identified the PLC subtypes and subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins involved in AT1 R-PLC coupling using cultured rat VSMCs. Western analysis revealed the expression of PLC-beta1, -gamma1, and -delta1 in VSMCs. Ang II-stimulated inositol trisphosphate (IP3) formation measured at 15 s, which corresponds to the peak response, was significantly inhibited by electroporation of antibodies against PLC-beta1, but not by anti-PLC-gamma and -delta antibodies. Electroporation of anti-Galphaq/11 and -Galpha12 antibodies also showed significant inhibition of the Ang II-induced IP3 generation at 15 s, while anti-Galphai and Galpha13 antibodies were ineffective. Furthermore, in VSMCs electroporated with anti-Gbeta antibody and cells stably transfected with the plasmid encoding the Gbetagamma-binding region of the carboxyl terminus of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase1, the peak Ang II-stimulated PLC activity (at 15 s) was significantly inhibited. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, had no effect on the peak response to Ang II stimulation, but significantly inhibited IP3 production after 30 s, a time period which temporally correlated with PLC-gamma tyrosine phosphorylation in response to Ang II. Moreover, electropor-ation of anti-PLC-gamma antibody markedly inhibited the IP3 production measured at 30 s, indicating that tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC-gamma contributes mainly to the later phase of PLC activation. Thus, these results suggest that: 1) AT1 receptors sequentially couple to PLC-beta1 via a heterotrimeric G protein and to PLC-gamma via a downstream tyrosine kinase; 2) the initial AT1 receptor-PLC-beta1 coupling is mediated by Galphaq/11beta gamma and Galpha12 beta gamma; 3) Gbeta gamma acts as a signal transducer for activation of PLC in VSMCs. The sequential coupling of AT1 receptors to PLC-beta1 and PLC-gamma, as well as dual coupling of AT1 receptors to distinct Galpha proteins, suggests a novel mechanism for a temporally controlled, highly organized and convergent Ang II-signaling network in VSMCs.

Redox control of vascular smooth muscle proliferation.

Recent evidence suggests a role for reactive oxygen species in the control of vascular smooth muscle proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Oxidative stress increases cell proliferation, mediates hormone-induced hypertrophy, and-under some circumstances-induces apoptosis. Smooth muscle cells contain a reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide/reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase that is responsible for the majority of the superoxide produced by the vessel wall. This enzyme has been characterized biochemically, but only limited information is available regarding its molecular structure. High levels of oxidative stress are apparently involved in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis, along with abnormal vascular growth after balloon injury. Thus the pathways responsible for oxidative stress, as well as the antioxidant defenses in the vessel wall, may provide novel therapeutic targets.

p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase is a critical component of the redox-sensitive signaling pathways activated by angiotensin II. Role in vascular smooth muscle cell hypertrophy.

Angiotensin II induces an oxidant stress-dependent hypertrophy in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. To investigate the growth-related molecular targets of H2O2, we examined the redox sensitivity of agonist-stimulated activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. We show here that angiotensin II elicits a rapid increase in intracellular H2O2 and a rapid and robust phosphorylation of both p42/44MAPK (16-fold) and p38MAPK (15-fold). However, exogenous H2O2 activates only p38MAPK (14-fold), and diphenylene iodonium, an NADH/NADPH oxidase inhibitor, attenuates angiotensin II-stimulated phosphorylation of p38MAPK, but not p42/44MAPK. Furthermore, in cells stably transfected with human catalase, angiotensin II-induced intracellular H2O2 generation is almost completely blocked, resulting in inhibition of phosphorylation of p38MAPK, but not p42/44MAPK, and a subsequent partial decrease in angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy. Specific inhibition of either the p38MAPK pathway with SB203580 (4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H- imidaz ole) or the p42/44MAPK pathway with PD98059 (2-(2'-amino-3'-methoxyphenyl)oxanaphthalen-4-one) also partially, but significantly, attenuates angiotensin II-induced hypertrophy; however, simultaneous blockade of both pathways has an additive inhibitory effect, indicating that the hypertrophic response to angiotensin II requires parallel, independent activation of both MAPK pathways. These results provide the first evidence that p38MAPK is a critical component of the oxidant stress (H2O2)-sensitive signaling pathways activated by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells and indicate that it plays a crucial role in vascular hypertrophy.

G-Protein binding domains of the angiotensin II AT1A receptors mapped with synthetic peptides selected from the receptor sequence.

The vascular angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1AR) is a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor superfamily. We mapped the G-protein binding domains of the AT1AR using synthetic peptides selected from the receptor sequence, which interfere with AT1AR-G-protein coupling. Membrane GTPase activity was used as a measure of the functional coupling in rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Peptides corresponding to the N-terminal region of the second intracellular loop (residues 125-137), the N-terminal region of the third intracellular loop (217-227) and the juxtamembranous region of the C-terminal tail (304-316) inhibited angiotensin II-induced GTPase activation by 30%, 30%, and 70%, respectively. The latter two domains (217-227 and 304-316) are predicted to form amphiphilic alpha-helices. Only the peptide representing residues 217-227 stimulated basal activity (45%). No synthetic peptide had a significant effect on either the number or the affinity of the AT1AR binding. These observations indicate that domains of the second and third regions and the cytoplasmic tail of the AT1AR interact with G-proteins, and that multiple contacts with these receptor domains may be important for binding and activation of the G-proteins.

Tumour necrosis factor alpha activates a p22phox-based NADH oxidase in vascular smooth muscle.

Increasing experimental evidence suggests that non-phagocytic cells express a potent superoxide (O2-.)-producing NADH oxidase that might be related to the phagocytic NADPH oxidase. Here we show that the cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) activates, in a time- and dose-dependent manner, a O2-.-producing NADH oxidase in cultured rat aortic smooth-muscle cells. Dose-response experiments for NADH showed an upward shift of the curve for TNF-alpha-treated cells, suggesting that TNF-alpha increased the amount of available enzyme. Using the anti-sense transfection technique, we further demonstrate that the molecular identity of this oxidase includes p22(phox) (the alpha subunit of cytochrome b558 and part of the electron transfer component of the phagocytic NADPH oxidase), which we recently cloned from a rat vascular smooth-muscle cell cDNA library. In addition, prolonged treatment with TNF-alpha increased p22phox mRNA expression without affecting p22phox mRNA stability, and only when transcriptional activity was intact. These findings identify a p22phox-containing NADH oxidase as a source for cytokine-induced free radical production in vascular smooth-muscle cells and clarify some of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of vascular oxidase activity.