Role of NF-kappaB-dependent caveolin-1 expression in the mechanism of increased endothelial permeability induced by lipopolysaccharide.

We investigated the role of NF-kappaB activation by the bacterial product lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in inducing caveolin-1 (Cav-1) expression and its consequence in contributing to the leakiness of the endothelial barrier. We observed that LPS challenge of human lung microvascular endothelial cells induced concentration- and time-dependent increases in expression of Cav-1 mRNA and protein. The NEMO (NF-kappaB essential modifier binding domain)-binding domain peptide (IkB kinase (IKK)-NEMO-binding domain (NBD) peptide), which prevents NF-kappaB activation by inhibiting the interaction of IKKgamma with the IKK complex, blocked LPS-induced Cav-1 mRNA and protein expression. Knockdown of NF-kappaB subunit p65/RelA expression with small interfering RNA also prevented LPS-induced Cav-1 expression. Caveolae open to the apical and basal plasmalemma of endothelial cells increased 2-4-fold within 4 h of LPS exposure. IKK-NBD peptide markedly reduced the LPS-induced increase in the number of caveolae as well as transendothelial albumin permeability. These observations were recapitulated in mouse studies in which IKK-NBD peptide prevented Cav-1 expression and interfered with the increase in lung microvessel permeability induced by LPS. Thus, LPS mediates NF-kappaB-dependent Cav-1 expression that results in increased caveolae number and thereby contributes to the mechanism of increased transendothelial albumin permeability.

siRNA-induced caveolin-1 knockdown in mice increases lung vascular permeability via the junctional pathway.

Caveolin-1, the principal integral membrane protein of caveolae, has been implicated in regulating the structural integrity of caveolae, vesicular trafficking, and signal transduction. Although the functions of caveolin-1 are beginning to be explored in caveolin-1-/- mice, these results are confounded by unknown compensatory mechanisms and the development of pulmonary hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and lung fibrosis. To address the role of caveolin-1 in regulating lung vascular permeability, in the present study we used small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knock down caveolin-1 expression in mouse lung endothelia in vivo. Intravenous injection of siRNA against caveolin-1 mRNA incorporated in liposomes selectively reduced the expression of caveolin-1 by approximately 90% within 96 h of injection compared with wild-type mice. We observed the concomitant disappearance of caveolae in lung vessel endothelia and dilated interendothelial junctions (IEJs) as well as increased lung vascular permeability to albumin via IEJs. The reduced caveolin-1 expression also resulted in increased plasma nitric oxide concentration. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME, in part, blocked the increased vascular albumin permeability. These morphological and functional effects of caveolin-1 knockdown were reversible within 168 h after siRNA injection, corresponding to the restoration of caveolin-1 expression. Thus our results demonstrate the essential requirement of caveolin-1 in mediating the formation of caveolae in endothelial cells in vivo and in negatively regulating IEJ permeability.

Constitutive eNOS-derived nitric oxide is a determinant of endothelial junctional integrity.

Basal vascular endothelial permeability is normally kept low in part by the restrictiveness of interendothelial junctions (IEJs). We investigated the possible role of nitric oxide (NO) in controlling IEJ integrity and thereby regulating basal vascular permeability. We determined the permeability of continuous endothelia in multiple murine vascular beds, including lung vasculature, of wild-type mice, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) null mice, and mice treated with NOS inhibitor N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Light and electron microscopic studies revealed that L-NAME treatment resulted in IEJs opening within a few minutes with a widespread response within 30 min. We observed a 35% increase in transendothelial transport of albumin, using as tracer dinitrophenylated albumin in mouse lungs and other organs studied. To rule out the involvement of blood cells in the mechanism of increased endothelial permeability, vascular beds were flushed free of blood, treated with L-NAME, and perfused with the tracer. The open IEJs observed in these studies indicated a direct role for NO in preserving the normal structure of endothelial junctions. We also used the electron-opaque tracer lanthanum chloride to assess vascular permeability. Lanthanum chloride was presented by perfusion to various vascular beds of mice lacking NO. Open IEJs were seen only in capillary and venular endothelial segments of mice lacking NO, and there was a concomitant increase in vascular permeability to the tracer. Together, these data demonstrate that constitutive eNOS-derived NO is a crucial determinant of IEJ integrity and thus serves to maintain the low basal permeability of continuous endothelia.