Small-world connectivity dictates collective endothelial cell signaling.

Every blood vessel is lined by a single layer of highly specialized, yet adaptable and multifunctional endothelial cells. These cells, the endothelium, control vascular contractility, hemostasis, and inflammation and regulate the exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products between circulating blood and tissue. To control each function, the endothelium processes endlessly arriving requests from multiple sources using separate clusters of cells specialized to detect specific stimuli. A well-developed but poorly understood communication system operates between cells to integrate multiple lines of information and coordinate endothelial responses. Here, the nature of the communication network has been addressed using single-cell Ca2+ imaging across thousands of endothelial cells in intact blood vessels. Cell activities were cross-correlated and compared to a stochastic model to determine network connections. Highly correlated Ca2+ activities occurred in scattered cell clusters, and network communication links between them exhibited unexpectedly short path lengths. The number of connections between cells (degree distribution) followed a power-law relationship revealing a scale-free network topology. The path length and degree distribution revealed an endothelial network with a "small-world" configuration. The small-world configuration confers particularly dynamic endothelial properties including high signal-propagation speed, stability, and a high degree of synchronizability. Local activation of small clusters of cells revealed that the short path lengths and rapid signal transmission were achieved by shortcuts via connecting extensions to nonlocal cells. These findings reveal that the endothelial network design is effective for local and global efficiency in the interaction of the cells and rapid and robust communication between endothelial cells in order to efficiently control cardiovascular activity.

Endothelial PAR2 activation evokes resistance artery relaxation.

Protease-activated receptor-1 & -2 (PAR1 and PAR2) are expressed widely in cardiovascular tissues including endothelial and smooth muscle cells. PAR1 and PAR2 may regulate blood pressure via changes in vascular contraction or relaxation mediated by endothelial Ca2+ signaling, but the mechanisms are incompletely understood. By using single-cell Ca2+ imaging across hundreds of endothelial cells in intact blood vessels, we explored PAR-mediated regulation of blood vessel function using PAR1 and PAR2 activators. We show that PAR2 activation evoked multicellular Ca2+ waves that propagated across the endothelium. The PAR2-evoked Ca2+ waves were temporally distinct from those generated by muscarinic receptor activation. PAR2 activated distinct clusters of endothelial cells, and these cells were different from those activated by muscarinic receptor stimulation. These results indicate that distinct cell clusters facilitate spatial segregation of endothelial signal processing. We also demonstrate that PAR2 is a phospholipase C-coupled receptor that evokes Ca2+ release from the IP3 -sensitive store in endothelial cells. A physiological consequence of this PAR2 signaling system is endothelium-dependent relaxation. Conversely, PAR1 activation did not trigger endothelial cell Ca2+ signaling nor relax or contract mesenteric arteries. Neither did PAR1 activators alter the response to PAR2 or muscarinic receptor activation. Collectively, these results suggest that endothelial PAR2 but not PAR1 evokes mesenteric artery relaxation by evoking IP3 -mediated Ca2+ release from the internal store. Sensing mediated by PAR2 receptors is distributed to spatially separated clusters of endothelial cells.

Mitochondrial ATP production provides long-range control of endothelial inositol trisphosphate-evoked calcium signaling.

Endothelial cells are reported to be glycolytic and to minimally rely on mitochondria for ATP generation. Rather than providing energy, mitochondria in endothelial cells may act as signaling organelles that control cytosolic Ca2+ signaling or modify reactive oxygen species (ROS). To control Ca2+ signaling, these organelles are often observed close to influx and release sites and may be tethered near Ca2+ transporters. In this study, we used high-resolution, wide-field fluorescence imaging to investigate the regulation of Ca2+ signaling by mitochondria in large numbers of endothelial cells (∼50 per field) in intact arteries from rats. We observed that mitochondria were mostly spherical or short-rod structures and were distributed widely throughout the cytoplasm. The density of these organelles did not increase near contact sites with smooth muscle cells. However, local inositol trisphosphate (IP3)-mediated Ca2+ signaling predominated near these contact sites and required polarized mitochondria. Of note, mitochondrial control of Ca2+ signals occurred even when mitochondria were far from Ca2+ release sites. Indeed, the endothelial mitochondria were mobile and moved throughout the cytoplasm. Mitochondrial control of Ca2+ signaling was mediated by ATP production, which, when reduced by mitochondrial depolarization or ATP synthase inhibition, eliminated local IP3-mediated Ca2+ release events. ROS buffering did not significantly alter local Ca2+ release events. These results highlight the importance of mitochondrial ATP production in providing long-range control of endothelial signaling via IP3-evoked local Ca2+ release in intact endothelium.

MYC regulates fatty acid metabolism through a multigenic program in claudin-low triple negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is a key metabolic pathway for the growth of triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs), particularly those that have high expression of MYC. However, the underlying mechanism by which MYC promotes FAO remains poorly understood. METHODS: We used a combination of metabolomics, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, and microscopy to elucidate a potential mechanism by which MYC regulates FAO in TNBC. RESULTS: We propose that MYC induces a multigenic program that involves changes in intracellular calcium signalling and fatty acid metabolism. We determined key roles for fatty acid transporters (CD36), lipases (LPL), and kinases (PDGFRB, CAMKK2, and AMPK) that each contribute to promoting FAO in human mammary epithelial cells that express oncogenic levels of MYC. Bioinformatic analysis further showed that this multigenic program is highly expressed and predicts poor survival in the claudin-low molecular subtype of TNBC, but not other subtypes of TNBCs, suggesting that efforts to target FAO in the clinic may best serve claudin-low TNBC patients. CONCLUSION: We identified critical pieces of the FAO machinery that have the potential to be targeted for improved treatment of patients with TNBC, especially the claudin-low molecular subtype.

Clusters of specialized detector cells provide sensitive and high fidelity receptor signaling in the intact endothelium.

Agonist-mediated signaling by the endothelium controls virtually all vascular functions. Because of the large diversity of agonists, each with varying concentrations, background noise often obscures individual cellular signals. How the endothelium distinguishes low-level fluctuations from noise and decodes and integrates physiologically relevant information remains unclear. Here, we recorded changes in intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations in response to acetylcholine in areas encompassing hundreds of endothelial cells from inside intact pressurized arteries. Individual cells responded to acetylcholine with a concentration-dependent increase in Ca(2+) signals spanning a single order of magnitude. Interestingly, however, intercellular response variation extended over 3 orders of magnitude of agonist concentration, thus crucially enhancing the collective bandwidth of endothelial responses to agonists. We also show the accuracy of this collective mode of detection is facilitated by spatially restricted clusters of comparably sensitive cells arising from heterogeneous receptor expression. Simultaneous stimulation of clusters triggered Ca(2+) signals that were transmitted to neighboring cells in a manner that scaled with agonist concentration. Thus, the endothelium detects agonists by acting as a distributed sensing system. Specialized clusters of detector cells, analogous to relay nodes in modern communication networks, integrate populationwide inputs, and enable robust noise filtering for efficient high-fidelity signaling.-Wilson, C., Saunter, C. D., Girkin, J. M., McCarron, J. G. Clusters of specialized detector cells provide sensitive and high fidelity receptor signaling in the intact endothelium.

The transition of smooth muscle cells from a contractile to a migratory, phagocytic phenotype: direct demonstration of phenotypic modulation.

KEY POINTS: Smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic conversion from a contractile to a migratory phenotype is proposed to underlie cardiovascular disease but its contribution to vascular remodelling and even its existence have recently been questioned. Tracking the fate of individual SMCs is difficult as no specific markers of migratory SMCs exist. This study used a novel, prolonged time-lapse imaging approach to continuously track the behaviour of unambiguously identified, fully differentiated SMCs. In response to serum, highly-elongated, contractile SMCs initially rounded up, before spreading and migrating and these migratory cells displayed clear phagocytic activity. This study provides a direct demonstration of the transition of fully contractile SMCs to a non-contractile, migratory phenotype with phagocytic capacity that may act as a macrophage-like cell. ABSTRACT: Atherosclerotic plaques are populated with smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages. SMCs are thought to accumulate in plaques because fully differentiated, contractile SMCs reprogramme into a 'synthetic' migratory phenotype, so-called phenotypic modulation, whilst plaque macrophages are thought to derive from blood-borne myeloid cells. Recently, these views have been challenged, with reports that SMC phenotypic modulation may not occur during vascular remodelling and that plaque macrophages may not be of haematopoietic origin. Following the fate of SMCs is complicated by the lack of specific markers for the migratory phenotype and direct demonstrations of phenotypic modulation are lacking. Therefore, we employed long-term, high-resolution, time-lapse microscopy to track the fate of unambiguously identified, fully-differentiated, contractile SMCs in response to the growth factors present in serum. Phenotypic modulation was clearly observed. The highly elongated, contractile SMCs initially rounded up, for 1-3 days, before spreading outwards. Once spread, the SMCs became motile and displayed dynamic cell-cell communication behaviours. Significantly, they also displayed clear evidence of phagocytic activity. This macrophage-like behaviour was confirmed by their internalisation of 1 µm fluorescent latex beads. However, migratory SMCs did not uptake acetylated low-density lipoprotein or express the classic macrophage marker CD68. These results directly demonstrate that SMCs may rapidly undergo phenotypic modulation and develop phagocytic capabilities. Resident SMCs may provide a potential source of macrophages in vascular remodelling.

Acetylcholine released by endothelial cells facilitates flow-mediated dilatation.

KEY POINTS: The endothelium plays a pivotal role in the vascular response to chemical and mechanical stimuli. The endothelium is exquisitely sensitive to ACh, although the physiological significance of ACh-induced activation of the endothelium is unknown. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms of flow-mediated endothelial calcium signalling. Our data establish that flow-mediated endothelial calcium responses arise from the autocrine action of non-neuronal ACh released by the endothelium. ABSTRACT: Circulating blood generates frictional forces (shear stress) on the walls of blood vessels. These frictional forces critically regulate vascular function. The endothelium senses these frictional forces and, in response, releases various vasodilators that relax smooth muscle cells in a process termed flow-mediated dilatation. Although some elements of the signalling mechanisms have been identified, precisely how flow is sensed and transduced to cause the release of relaxing factors is poorly understood. By imaging signalling in large areas of the endothelium of intact arteries, we show that the endothelium responds to flow by releasing ACh. Once liberated, ACh acts to trigger calcium release from the internal store in endothelial cells, nitric oxide production and artery relaxation. Flow-activated release of ACh from the endothelium is non-vesicular and occurs via organic cation transporters. ACh is generated following mitochondrial production of acetylCoA. Thus, we show ACh is an autocrine signalling molecule released from endothelial cells, and identify a new role for the classical neurotransmitter in endothelial mechanotransduction.

Age decreases mitochondrial motility and increases mitochondrial size in vascular smooth muscle.

KEY POINTS: Age is proposed to be associated with altered structure and function of mitochondria; however, in fully-differentiated cells, determining the structure of more than a few mitochondria at a time is challenging. In the present study, the structures of the entire mitochondrial complements of cells were resolved from a pixel-by-pixel covariance analysis of fluctuations in potentiometric fluorophore intensity during 'flickers' of mitochondrial membrane potential. Mitochondria are larger in vascular myocytes from aged rats compared to those in younger adult rats. A subpopulation of mitochondria in myocytes from aged, but not younger, animals is highly-elongated. Some mitochondria in myocytes from younger, but not aged, animals are highly-motile. Mitochondria that are motile are located more peripherally in the cell than non-motile mitochondria. ABSTRACT: Mitochondrial function, motility and architecture are each central to cell function. Age-associated mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to vascular disease. However, mitochondrial changes in ageing remain ill-defined because of the challenges of imaging in native cells. We determined the structure of mitochondria in live native cells, demarcating boundaries of individual organelles by inducing stochastic 'flickers' of membrane potential, recorded as fluctuations in potentiometric fluorophore intensity (flicker-assisted localization microscopy; FaLM). In freshly-isolated myocytes from rat cerebral resistance arteries, FaLM showed a range of mitochondrial X-Y areas in both young adult (3 months; 0.05-6.58 µm(2) ) and aged rats (18 months; 0.05-13.4 µm(2) ). In cells from young animals, most mitochondria were small (mode area 0.051 µm(2) ) compared to aged animals (0.710 µm(2) ). Cells from older animals contained a subpopulation of highly-elongated mitochondria (5.3% were >2 µm long, 4.2% had a length:width ratio >3) that was rare in younger animals (0.15% of mitochondria >2 µm long, 0.4% had length:width ratio >3). The extent of mitochondrial motility also varied. 1/811 mitochondria observed moved slightly (∼0.5 µm) in myocytes from older animals, whereas, in the younger animals, directed and Brownian-like motility occurred regularly (215 of 1135 mitochondria moved within 10 min, up to distance of 12 µm). Mitochondria positioned closer to the cell periphery showed a greater tendency to move. In conclusion, cerebral vascular myocytes from young rats contained small, motile mitochondria. In aged rats, mitochondria were larger, immobile and could be highly-elongated. These age-associated alterations in mitochondrial behaviour may contribute to alterations in cell signalling, energy supply or the onset of proliferation.

Advancing Age Decreases Pressure-Sensitive Modulation of Calcium Signaling in the Endothelium of Intact and Pressurized Arteries.

Aging is the summation of many subtle changes which result in altered cardiovascular function. Impaired endothelial function underlies several of these changes and precipitates plaque development in larger arteries. The endothelium transduces chemical and mechanical signals into changes in the cytoplasmic calcium concentration to control vascular function. However, studying endothelial calcium signaling in larger arteries in a physiological configuration is challenging because of the requirement to focus through the artery wall. Here, pressure- and agonist-sensitive endothelial calcium signaling was studied in pressurized carotid arteries from young (3-month-old) and aged (18-month-old) rats by imaging from within the artery using gradient index fluorescence microendoscopy. Endothelial sensitivity to acetylcholine increased with age. The number of cells exhibiting oscillatory calcium signals and the frequency of oscillations were unchanged with age. However, the latency of calcium responses was significantly increased with age. Acetylcholine-evoked endothelial calcium signals were suppressed by increased intraluminal pressure. However, pressure-dependent inhibition of calcium signaling was substantially reduced with age. While each of these changes will increase endothelial calcium signaling with increasing age, decreases in endothelial pressure sensitivity may manifest as a loss of functionality and responsiveness in aging.

Pressure-dependent regulation of Ca2+ signalling in the vascular endothelium.

KEY POINTS: Increased pressure suppresses endothelial control of vascular tone but it remains uncertain (1) how pressure is sensed by the endothelium and (2) how the vascular response is inhibited. This study used a novel imaging method to study large numbers of endothelial cells in arteries that were in a physiological configuration and held at normal blood pressures. Increased pressure suppressed endothelial IP3 -mediated Ca(2+) signals. Pressure modulated endothelial cell shape. The changes in cell shape may alter endothelial Ca(2+) signals by modulating the diffusive environment for Ca(2+) near IP3 receptors. Endothelial pressure-dependent mechanosensing may occur without a requirement for a conventional molecular mechanoreceptor. ABSTRACT: The endothelium is an interconnected network upon which haemodynamic mechanical forces act to control vascular tone and remodelling in disease. Ca(2+) signalling is central to the endothelium's mechanotransduction and networked activity. However, challenges in imaging Ca(2+) in large numbers of endothelial cells under conditions that preserve the intact physical configuration of pressurized arteries have limited progress in understanding how pressure-dependent mechanical forces alter networked Ca(2+) signalling. We developed a miniature wide-field, gradient-index (GRIN) optical probe designed to fit inside an intact pressurized artery that permitted Ca(2+) signals to be imaged with subcellular resolution in a large number (∼200) of naturally connected endothelial cells at various pressures. Chemical (acetylcholine) activation triggered spatiotemporally complex, propagating inositol trisphosphate (IP3 )-mediated Ca(2+) waves that originated in clusters of cells and progressed from there across the endothelium. Mechanical stimulation of the artery, by increased intraluminal pressure, flattened the endothelial cells and suppressed IP3 -mediated Ca(2+) signals in all activated cells. By computationally modelling Ca(2+) release, endothelial shape changes were shown to alter the geometry of the Ca(2+) diffusive environment near IP3 receptor microdomains to limit IP3 -mediated Ca(2+) signals as pressure increased. Changes in cell shape produce a geometric microdomain regulation of IP3 -mediated Ca(2+) signalling to explain macroscopic pressure-dependent, endothelial mechanosensing without the need for a conventional mechanoreceptor. The suppression of IP3 -mediated Ca(2+) signalling may explain the decrease in endothelial activity as pressure increases. GRIN imaging provides a convenient method that gives access to hundreds of endothelial cells in intact arteries in physiological configuration.

Synthesis of an azido-tagged low affinity ratiometric calcium sensor.

Changes in high localised concentrations of Ca2+ ions are fundamental to cell signalling. The synthesis of a dual excitation, ratiometric calcium ion sensor with a Kd of 90 µM, is described. It is tagged with an azido group for bioconjugation, and absorbs in the blue/green and emits in the red region of the visible spectrum with a large Stokes shift. The binding modulating nitro group is introduced to the BAPTA core prior to construction of a benzofuran-2-yl carboxaldehyde by an allylation-oxidation-cyclisation sequence, which is followed by condensation with an azido-tagged thiohydantoin. The thiohydantoin unit has to be protected with an acetoxymethyl (AM) caging group to allow CuAAC click reaction and incorporation of the KDEL peptide endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention sequence.

Microdomains of muscarinic acetylcholine and Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptors create 'Ins(1,4,5)P3 junctions' and sites of Ca²+ wave initiation in smooth muscle.

Increases in cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](c)) mediated by inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P(3), hereafter InsP(3)] regulate activities that include division, contraction and cell death. InsP(3)-evoked Ca(2+) release often begins at a single site, then regeneratively propagates through the cell as a Ca(2+) wave. The Ca(2+) wave consistently begins at the same site on successive activations. Here, we address the mechanisms that determine the Ca(2+) wave initiation site in intestinal smooth muscle cells. Neither an increased sensitivity of InsP(3) receptors (InsP(3)R) to InsP(3) nor regional clustering of muscarinic receptors (mAChR3) or InsP(3)R1 explained the selection of an initiation site. However, examination of the overlap of mAChR3 and InsP(3)R1 localisation, by centre of mass analysis, revealed that there was a small percentage (∼10%) of sites that showed colocalisation. Indeed, the extent of colocalisation was greatest at the Ca(2+) wave initiation site. The initiation site might arise from a selective delivery of InsP(3) from mAChR3 activity to particular InsP(3)Rs to generate faster local [Ca(2+)](c) increases at sites of colocalisation. In support of this hypothesis, a localised subthreshold 'priming' InsP(3) concentration applied rapidly, but at regions distant from the initiation site, shifted the wave to the site of the priming. Conversely, when the Ca(2+) rise at the initiation site was rapidly and selectively attenuated, the Ca(2+) wave again shifted and initiated at a new site. These results indicate that Ca(2+) waves initiate where there is a structural and functional coupling of mAChR3 and InsP(3)R1, which generates junctions in which InsP(3) acts as a highly localised signal by being rapidly and selectively delivered to InsP(3)R1.

Signalling switches maintain intercellular communication in the vascular endothelium.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The single layer of cells lining all blood vessels, the endothelium, is a sophisticated signal co-ordination centre that controls a wide range of vascular functions including the regulation of blood pressure and blood flow. To co-ordinate activities, communication among cells is required for tissue level responses to emerge. While a significant form of communication occurs by the propagation of signals between cells, the mechanism of propagation in the intact endothelium is unresolved. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Precision signal generation and targeted cellular manipulation was used in conjunction with high spatiotemporal mesoscale Ca2+ imaging in the endothelium of intact blood vessels. KEY RESULTS: Multiple mechanisms maintain communication so that Ca2+ wave propagation occurs irrespective of the status of connectivity among cells. Between adjoining cells, regenerative IP3-induced IP3 production transmits Ca2+ signals and explains the propagated vasodilation that underlies the increased blood flow accompanying tissue activity. The inositide is itself sufficient to evoke regenerative phospholipase C-dependent Ca2+ waves across coupled cells. None of gap junctions, Ca2+ diffusion or the release of extracellular messengers is required to support this type of intercellular Ca2+ signalling. In contrast, when discontinuities exist between cells, ATP released as a diffusible extracellular messenger transmits Ca2+ signals across the discontinuity and drives propagated vasodilation. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These results show that signalling switches underlie endothelial cell-to-cell signal transmission and reveal how communication is maintained in the face of endothelial damage. The findings provide a new framework for understanding wave propagation and cell signalling in the endothelium.

Examining the role of mitochondria in Ca²âº signaling in native vascular smooth muscle.

Mitochondrial Ca²âº uptake contributes important feedback controls to limit the time course of Ca²âº signals. Mitochondria regulate cytosolic [Ca²âº] over an exceptional breath of concentrations (~200 nM to >10 µM) to provide a wide dynamic range in the control of Ca²âº signals. Ca²âº uptake is achieved by passing the ion down the electrochemical gradient, across the inner mitochondria membrane, which itself arises from the export of protons. The proton export process is efficient and on average there are less than three protons free within the mitochondrial matrix. To study mitochondrial function, the most common approaches are to alter the proton gradient and to measure the electrochemical gradient. However, drugs which alter the mitochondrial proton gradient may have substantial off target effects that necessitate careful consideration when interpreting their effect on Ca²âº signals. Measurement of the mitochondrial electrochemical gradient is most often performed using membrane potential sensitive fluorophores. However, the signals arising from these fluorophores have a complex relationship with the electrochemical gradient and are altered by changes in plasma membrane potential. Care is again needed in interpreting results. This review provides a brief description of some of the methods commonly used to alter and measure mitochondrial contribution to Ca²âº signaling in native smooth muscle.

From structure to function: mitochondrial morphology, motion and shaping in vascular smooth muscle.

The diversity of mitochondrial arrangements, which arise from the organelle being static or moving, or fusing and dividing in a dynamically reshaping network, is only beginning to be appreciated. While significant progress has been made in understanding the proteins that reorganise mitochondria, the physiological significance of the various arrangements is poorly understood. The lack of understanding may occur partly because mitochondrial morphology is studied most often in cultured cells. The simple anatomy of cultured cells presents an attractive model for visualizing mitochondrial behaviour but contrasts with the complexity of native cells in which elaborate mitochondrial movements and morphologies may not occur. Mitochondrial changes may take place in native cells (in response to stress and proliferation), but over a slow time-course and the cellular function contributed is unclear. To determine the role mitochondrial arrangements play in cell function, a crucial first step is characterisation of the interactions among mitochondrial components. Three aspects of mitochondrial behaviour are described in this review: (1) morphology, (2) motion and (3) rapid shape changes. The proposed physiological roles to which various mitochondrial arrangements contribute and difficulties in interpreting some of the physiological conclusions are also outlined.

Mitochondrial motility and vascular smooth muscle proliferation.

OBJECTIVE: Mitochondria are widely described as being highly dynamic and adaptable organelles, and their movement is thought to be vital for cell function. Yet, in various native cells, including those of heart and smooth muscle, mitochondria are stationary and rigidly structured. The significance of the differences in mitochondrial behavior to the physiological function of cells is unclear and was studied in single myocytes and intact resistance-sized cerebral arteries. We hypothesized that mitochondrial dynamics is controlled by the proliferative status of the cells. METHODS AND RESULTS: High-speed fluorescence imaging of mitochondria in live vascular smooth muscle cells shows that the organelle undergoes significant reorganization as cells become proliferative. In nonproliferative cells, mitochondria are individual (≈ 2 µm by 0.5 µm), stationary, randomly dispersed, fixed structures. However, on entering the proliferative state, mitochondria take on a more diverse architecture and become small spheres, short rod-shaped structures, long filamentous entities, and networks. When cells proliferate, mitochondria also continuously move and change shape. In the intact pressurized resistance artery, mitochondria are largely immobile structures, except in a small number of cells in which motility occurred. When proliferation of smooth muscle was encouraged in the intact resistance artery, in organ culture, the majority of mitochondria became motile and the majority of smooth muscle cells contained moving mitochondria. Significantly, restriction of mitochondrial motility using the fission blocker mitochondrial division inhibitor prevented vascular smooth muscle proliferation in both single cells and the intact resistance artery. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that mitochondria are adaptable and exist in intact tissue as both stationary and highly dynamic entities. This mitochondrial plasticity is an essential mechanism for the development of smooth muscle proliferation and therefore presents a novel therapeutic target against vascular disease.

Mitochondrial ATP Production is Required for Endothelial Cell Control of Vascular Tone.

Arteries and veins are lined by nonproliferating endothelial cells that play a critical role in regulating blood flow. Endothelial cells also regulate tissue perfusion, metabolite exchange, and thrombosis. It is thought that endothelial cells rely on ATP generated via glycolysis, rather than mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, to fuel each of these energy-demanding processes. However, endothelial metabolism has mainly been studied in the context of proliferative cells, and little is known about energy production in endothelial cells within the fully formed vascular wall. Using intact arteries isolated from rats and mice, we show that inhibiting mitochondrial respiration disrupts endothelial control of vascular tone. Basal, mechanically activated, and agonist-evoked calcium activity in intact artery endothelial cells are each prevented by inhibiting mitochondrial ATP synthesis. Agonist-evoked calcium activity was also inhibited by blocking the transport of pyruvate, the master fuel for mitochondrial energy production, through the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier. The role for mitochondria in endothelial cell energy production is independent of species, sex, or vascular bed. These data show that a mitochondrial ATP supply is necessary for calcium-dependent, nitric oxide-mediated endothelial control of vascular tone, and identifies the critical role of endothelial mitochondrial energy production in fueling perfused blood vessel function.

Mitochondrial regulation of cytosolic Ca²âº signals in smooth muscle.

The cytosolic Ca²âº concentration ([Ca²âº]c) controls virtually every activity of smooth muscle, including contraction, migration, transcription, division and apoptosis. These processes may be activated by large (>10 µM) amplitude [Ca²âº]c increases, which occur in small restricted regions of the cell or by smaller (<1 µM) amplitude changes throughout the bulk cytoplasm. Mitochondria contribute to the regulation of these signals by taking up Ca²âº. However, mitochondria's reported low affinity for Ca²âº is thought to require the organelle to be positioned close to ion channels and within a microdomain of high [Ca²âº]. In cultured smooth muscle, mitochondria are highly dynamic structures but in native smooth muscle mitochondria are immobile, apparently strategically positioned organelles that regulate the upstroke and amplitude of IP3-evoked Ca²âº signals and IP3 receptor (IP3R) cluster activity. These observations suggest mitochondria are positioned within the high [Ca²âº] microdomain arising from an IP3R cluster to exert significant local control of channel activity. On the other hand, neither the upstroke nor amplitude of voltage-dependent Ca²âº entry is modulated by mitochondria; rather, it is the declining phase of the transient that is regulated by the organelle. Control of the declining phase of the transient requires a high mitochondrial affinity for Ca²âº to enable uptake to occur over the normal physiological Ca²âº range (<1 µM). Thus, in smooth muscle, mitochondria regulate Ca²âº signals exerting effects over a large range of [Ca²âº] (∼200 nM to at least tens of micromolar) to provide a wide dynamic range in the control of Ca²âº signals.

Selective uncoupling of individual mitochondria within a cell using a mitochondria-targeted photoactivated protonophore.

Depolarization of an individual mitochondrion or small clusters of mitochondria within cells has been achieved using a photoactivatable probe. The probe is targeted to the matrix of the mitochondrion by an alkyltriphenylphosphonium lipophilic cation and releases the protonophore 2,4-dinitrophenol locally in predetermined regions in response to directed irradiation with UV light via a local photolysis system. This also provides a proof of principle for the general temporally and spatially controlled release of bioactive molecules, pharmacophores, or toxins to mitochondria with tissue, cell, or mitochondrion specificity.