Role of the actin cytoskeleton in angiotensin II signaling in human vascular smooth muscle cells

2005 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rhian M Touyz ◽  
Guoying Yao ◽  
Ernesto L Schiffrin

Angiotensin II (Ang II) regulates vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function by activating signaling cascades that promote vasoconstriction, growth, and inflammation. Subcellular mechanisms coordinating these processes are unclear. In the present study, we questioned the role of the actin cytoskeleton in Ang II mediated signaling through mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in VSMCs. Human VSMCs were studied. Cells were exposed to Ang II (10–7 mol/L) in the absence and presence of cytochalasin B (10–6 mol/L, 60 min), which disrupts the actin cytoskeleton. Phosphorylation of p38MAP kinase, JNK, and ERK1/2 was assessed by immuno blotting. ROS generation was measured using the fluoroprobe chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (4 µmol/L). Interaction between the cytoskeleton and NADPH oxidase was determined by evaluating the presence of p47phox in the Triton X-100 insoluble membrane fraction. Ang II significantly increased phosphorylation of p38MAP kinase, JNK, and ERK1/2 (two- to threefold above control, p < 0.05). Cytochalasin B pretreatment attenuated p38MAP kinase and JNK effects (p < 0.05) without altering ERK1/2 phosphorylation. ROS formation, which was increased in Ang II stimulated cells, was significantly reduced by cytochalasin B (p < 0.01). p47phox, critically involved in NADPH oxidase activation, colocalized with the actin cytoskeleton in Ang II stimulated cells. Our data demonstrate that Ang II mediated ROS formation and activation of p38MAP kinase and JNK, but not ERK1/2, involves the actin cytoskeleton in VSMCs. In addition, Ang II promotes interaction between actin and p47phox. These data indicate that the cytoskeleton is involved in differential MAP kinase signaling and ROS generation by Ang II in VSMCs. Together, these studies suggest that the cytoskeleton may be a central point of crosstalk in growth- and redox-signaling pathways by Ang II, which may be important in the regulation of VSMC function.Key words: superoxide, NADPH oxidase, p38MAP kinase, JNK, ERK1/2.

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (1) ◽  
pp. H37-H42 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Weber ◽  
Petra Rocic ◽  
Adamantios M. Mellis ◽  
Karine Laude ◽  
Alicia N. Lyle ◽  
...  

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in several vascular pathologies associated with vascular smooth muscle hypertrophy. In the current studies, we utilized transgenic (Tg) mice (Tg p22smc) that overexpress the p22 phox subunit of NAD(P)H oxidase selectively in smooth muscle. These mice have a twofold increase in aortic p22 phox expression and H2O2 production and thus provide an excellent in vivo model in which to assess the effects of increased ROS generation on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) function. We tested the hypothesis that overexpression of VSMC p22 phox potentiates angiotensin II (ANG II)-induced vascular hypertrophy. Male Tg p22smc mice and negative littermate controls were infused with either ANG II or saline for 13 days. Baseline blood pressure was not different between control and Tg p22smc mice. ANG II significantly increased blood pressure in both groups, with this increase being slightly exacerbated in the Tg p22smc mice. Baseline aortic wall thickness and cross-sectional wall area were not different between control and Tg p22smc mice. Importantly, the ANG II-induced increase in both parameters was significantly greater in the Tg p22smc mice compared with control mice. To confirm that this potentiation of vascular hypertrophy was due to increased ROS levels, additional groups of mice were coinfused with ebselen. This treatment prevented the exacerbation of hypertrophy in Tg p22smc mice receiving ANG II. These data suggest that although increased availability of NAD(P)H oxidase-derived ROS is not a sufficient stimulus for hypertrophy, it does potentiate ANG II-induced vascular hypertrophy, making ROS an excellent target for intervention aimed at reducing medial thickening in vivo.


2007 ◽  
Vol 292 (4) ◽  
pp. H1922-H1930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Li ◽  
Georgios Lappas ◽  
Madhu B. Anand-Srivastava

We have previously reported that angiotensin II (ANG II) treatment of A10 vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) increased inhibitory G proteins (Gi protein) expression and associated adenylyl cyclase signaling which was attributed to the enhanced MAP kinase activity. Since ANG II has been shown to increase oxidative stress, we investigated the role of oxidative stress in ANG II-induced enhanced expression of Giα proteins and examined the effects of antioxidants on ANG II-induced enhanced expression of Giα proteins and associated adenylyl cyclase signaling in A10 VSMCs. ANG II treatment of A10 VSMCs enhanced the production of O2− and the expression of Nox4 and P47phox, different subunits of NADPH oxidase, which were attenuated toward control levels by diphenyleneiodonium (DPI). In addition, ANG II augmented the expression of Giα-2 and Giα-3 proteins in a concentration- and time-dependent manner; the maximal increase in the expression of Giα was observed at 1 to 2 h and at 0.1–1.0 μM. The enhanced expression of Giα-2 and Giα-3 proteins was restored to control levels by antioxidants such as N-acetyl-l-cysteine, α-tocopherol, DPI, and apocynin. In addition, ANG II also enhanced the ERK1/2 phosphorylation that was restored to control levels by DPI. Furthermore, the inhibition of forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by low concentrations of 5′- O-(3-triotriphosphate) (receptor-independent Gi functions) and ANG II-, des(Glu18,Ser19,Glu20,Leu21,Gly22)atrial natriuretic peptide4-23-NH2 (natriuretic peptide receptor-C agonist), and oxotremorine-mediated inhibitions of adenylyl cyclase (receptor-dependent functions) that were augmented in ANG II-treated VSMCs was also restored to control levels by antioxidant treatments. In addition, Gsα-mediated diminished stimulation of adenylyl cyclase by stimulatory hormones in ANG II-treated cells was also restored to control levels by DPI. These results suggest that ANG II-induced enhanced levels of Giα proteins and associated functions in VSMCs may be attributed to the ANG II-induced enhanced oxidative stress, which exerts its effects through mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Si-yu Zeng ◽  
Jing-fei Luo ◽  
Hai-yan Quan ◽  
Yun-bin Xiao ◽  
Yu-huan Liu ◽  
...  

Objectives. Protein arginine methyltransferase 2 (PRMT2) protects against vascular injury-induced intimal hyperplasia; however, little is known about the role of PRMT2 in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced VSMCs proliferation and inflammation. This research aims to determine whether PRMT2 inhibits Ang II-induced proliferation and inflammation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Materials and Methods. PRMT2 overexpression was used to elucidate the role of PRMT2 in Ang II-induced VSMCs proliferation and inflammation. Western blotting and reverse transcriptional PCR were adopted to detect protein and mRNA expression severally. Cell viability was evaluated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay and cell cycle distribution by flow cytometry. Results. Ang II significantly reduced mRNA and protein levels of PRMT2 in VSMCs in time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. Results of PRMT2 overexpression indicated that PRMT2 inhibited proliferation of VSMCs stimulated with 100 nmol/L Ang II for 24 hours. Furthermore, overexpression of PRMT2 reduced Ang II-induced production of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in VSMCs. Conclusions. These findings suggest that PRMT2 alleviates Ang II-induced VSMCs proliferation and inflammation, providing a new mechanism about how Ang II mediated VSMCs proliferation and inflammation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen Jin ◽  
Marpadga A Reddy ◽  
Zhuo Chen ◽  
Sadhan Das ◽  
Linda Lanting ◽  
...  

Angiotensin II (Ang II)-mediated vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dysfunction plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs). However, the role of Ang II-induced transcription factors in the diverse effects of Ang II remains unclear. We profiled Ang II induced gene expression by microarray analysis of RNA isolated from Ang II-treated and control VSMC. Our results identified numerous differentially regulated genes including several key transcription factors in Ang II-stimulated VSMC compared with controls. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis indicated that Ang II-regulated genes are involved in VSMC dysfunction highly relevant to CVDs. We validated the expression of several genes by RT-qPCR and further characterized the functions of the most differentially regulated gene, KLF4, known to regulate growth factor induced VSMC phenotypic switching. We demonstrated that Ang II induced the expression of KLF4 in cultured VSMC in vitro , in mice aortas cultured ex vivo , and in aortas isolated from Ang II-infused mice in vivo . Ang II-induced KLF4 expression was inhibited by Losartan, demonstrating regulation via the AT1 receptor. Transfection experiments using WT and mutant KLF4 promoter constructs revealed the key role of cis -elements with consensus binding sites for p53, SP1 and YY1 in Ang II-induced KLF4 promoter activation. Next, we performed gene expression profiling by Affymetrix gene arrays after siRNA mediated KLF4 knockdown in VSMC. The differentially expressed genes were subsequently analyzed by DAVID to obtain enriched biological processes and potential pathways relevant to cardiovascular functions. Results showed that KLF4 knockdown upregulated the expression of several genes related to cell proliferation and hypertrophy. Interestingly, KLF4 knockdown also enhanced the expression of multiple pro-inflammatory genes including IL-6 and downregulated several anti-inflammatory genes including Thrombomodulin, suggesting an anti-inflammatory role for KLF4 in VSMC. Together, these results suggest that KLF4 may act as a novel molecular brake to modulate Ang II actions that, when disrupted, can further augment Ang II mediated VSMC dysfunction associated with vascular diseases.


Author(s):  
Vanessa Truong ◽  
Madhu B Anand-Srivastava ◽  
Ashok K Srivastava

Cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element (CRE) binding protein (CREB) is a nuclear transcription factor that regulates the transcription of several genes containing the CRE sites in their promoters. CREB is activated by phosphorylation on a key serine residue, Ser 311, in response to a wide variety of extracellular stimuli including angiotensin II (Ang II). Ang II is an important vasoactive peptide and mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) that in addition to regulating the contractile response in VSMC also plays an important role in phenotypic switch of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from contractile to a synthetic state. The synthetic VSMC are known to exhibit proliferative and migratory properties due to hyperactivation of Ang II-induced signaling events. Ang II has been shown to induce CREB phosphorylation/activation and transcription of genes implicated in proliferation, growth and migration. Here, we have highlighted some key studies that have demonstrated an important role of CREB in Ang II-mediated gene transcription, proliferation, hypertrophy and migration of VSMC.


Author(s):  
Ekhtear Hossain ◽  
Yuan Li ◽  
Madhu B Anand-Srivastava

We earlier showed that Ang II- induced overexpression of Giα proteins contributes to the hyperproliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). In addition, the implication of JAK2/STAT3 pathway in Ang II-induced hyperproliferation of VSMC has also been reported. However, the role of JAK2/STAT3 pathway in Ang II-induced overexpression of Giα proteins and hyperproliferation of VSMC remains unexplored. In the present study, we show that inhibition or knockdown of JAK2/STAT3 pathway by a specific inhibitor ‘Cucurbitacin I’ (CuI) or siRNAs attenuated Ang II-induced overexpression of Giα proteins and hyperproliferation of VSMC. In addition, the enhanced expression of cell cycle proteins induced by Ang II was also attenuated by CuI. Furthermore, Ang II-induced enhanced production of superoxide anion (O2-), H2O2, NADPH oxidase activity, as well as the enhanced expression of NADPH oxidase subunits implicated in enhanced expression of Giα proteins and hyperproliferation were also attenuated by inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 pathway. On the other hand, Ang II-induced inhibition/augmentation of the levels of nitric oxide/ peroxynitrite in VSMC were restored to control levels by CuI. In summary, our results demonstrate that Ang II through JAK2/STAT3 pathway increases nitroxidative stress which contributes to the overexpression of Giα proteins, cell cycle proteins and hyperproliferation of VSMC.


2014 ◽  
Vol 307 (1) ◽  
pp. C97-C106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Emehdi Atef ◽  
Madhu B. Anand-Srivastava

Vascular Gqα signaling has been shown to contribute to cardiac hypertrophy. In addition, angiotensin II (ANG II) was shown to induce vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hypertrophy through Gqα signaling; however, the studies on the role of Gqα and PLC-β1 proteins in VSMC hypertrophy in animal model are lacking. The present study was therefore undertaken to examine the role of Gqα/PLC-β1 proteins and the signaling pathways in VSMC hypertrophy using spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). VSMC from 16-wk-old SHR and not from 12-wk-old SHR exhibited enhanced levels of Gqα/PLC-β1 proteins compared with age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats as determined by Western blotting. However, protein synthesis as determined by [3H]leucine incorporation was significantly enhanced in VSMC from both 12- and 16-wk-old SHR compared with VSMC from age-matched WKY rats. Furthermore, the knockdown of Gqα/PLC-β1 in VSMC from 16-wk-old SHR by antisense and small interfering RNA resulted in attenuation of protein synthesis. In addition, the enhanced expression of Gqα/PLC-β1 proteins, enhanced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and enhanced protein synthesis in VSMC from SHR were attenuated by the ANG II AT1 and endothelin-1 (ET-1) ETA receptor antagonists losartan and BQ123, respectively, but not by the ETB receptor antagonist BQ788. In addition, PD98059 decreased the enhanced expression of Gqα/PLC-β1 and protein synthesis in VSMC from SHR. These results suggest that the enhanced levels of endogenous ANG II and ET-1 through the activation of AT1 and ETA receptors, respectively, and MAP kinase signaling, enhanced the expression of Gqα/PLC-β1 proteins in VSMC from 16-wk-old SHR and result in VSMC hypertrophy.


2005 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanna CASTOLDI ◽  
Serena REDAELLI ◽  
Willy M. M. van de GREEF ◽  
Cira R. T. di GIOIA ◽  
Giuseppe BUSCA ◽  
...  

Ang II (angiotensin II) has multiple effects on vascular smooth muscle cells through the modulation of different classes of genes. Using the mRNA differential-display method to investigate gene expression in rat aortic smooth muscle cells in culture in response to 3 h of Ang II stimulation, we observed that Ang II down-regulated the expression of a member of the family of transmembrane receptors for Wnt proteins that was identified as Fzd2 [Fzd (frizzled)-2 receptor]. Fzds are a class of highly conserved genes playing a fundamental role in the developmental processes. In vitro, time course experiments demonstrated that Ang II induced a significant increase (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression after 30 min, whereas it caused a significant decrease (P<0.05) in Fzd2 expression at 3 h. A similar rapid up-regulation after Ang II stimulation for 30 min was evident for TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1; P<0.05). To investigate whether Ang II also modulated Fzd2 expression in vivo, exogenous Ang II was administered to Sprague–Dawley rats (200 ng·kg−1 of body weight·min−1; subcutaneously) for 1 and 4 weeks. Control rats received normal saline. After treatment, systolic blood pressure was significantly higher (P<0.01), whereas plasma renin activity was suppressed (P<0.01) in Ang II- compared with the saline-treated rats. Ang II administration for 1 week did not modify Fzd2 expression in aorta of Ang II-treated rats, whereas Ang II administration for 4 weeks increased Fzd2 mRNA expression (P<0.05) in the tunica media of the aorta, resulting in a positive immunostaining for fibronectin at this time point. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that Ang II modulates Fzd2 expression in aortic smooth muscle cells both in vitro and in vivo.


Hypertension ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 688-688
Author(s):  
Toshihiro Ichiki ◽  
Kotaro Takeda ◽  
Akira Takeshita

58 Recent studies suggest a crucial role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) for the signaling of Angiotensin II (Ang II) through type 1 Ang II receptor (AT1-R). However, the role of ROS in the regulation of AT1-R expression has not been explored. In this study, we examined the effect of an antioxidant on the homologous downregulation of AT1-R by Ang II. Ang II (10 -6 mol/L) decreased AT1-R mRNA with a peak suppression at 6 hours of stimulation in rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Ang II dose-dependently (10 -8 -10 -6 ) suppressed AT1-R mRNA at 6 hours of stimulation. Preincubation of VSMC with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, almost completely inhibited the Ang II-induced downregulation of AT1-R mRNA. The effect of NAC was due to stabilization of the AT1-R mRNA that was destabilized by Ang II. Ang II did not affect the promoter activity of AT1-R gene. Diphenylene iodonium (DPI), an inhibitor of NADH/NADPH oxidase failed to inhibit the Ang II-induced AT1-R mRNA downregulation. The Ang II-induced AT1-R mRNA downregulation was also blocked by PD98059, an extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) kinase inhibitor. Ang II-induced ERK activation was inhibited by NAC as well as PD98059 whereas DPI did not inhibit it. To confirm the role of ROS in the regulation of AT1-R mRNA expression, VSMC were stimulated with H 2 O 2 . H 2 O 2 suppressed the AT1-R mRNA expression and activated ERK. These results suggest that production of ROS and activation of ERK are critical for downregulation of AT1-R mRNA. The differential effect of NAC and DPI on the downregulation of AT1-R mRNA may suggest the presence of other sources than NADH/NADPH oxidase pathway for ROS in Ang II signaling. Generation of ROS through stimulation of AT1-R not only mediates signaling of Ang II but may play a crucial role in the adaptation process of AT1-R to the sustained stimulation of Ang II.


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