Endothelin-1 and serotonin are involved in activation of RhoA/Rho kinase signaling in the chronically hypoxic hypertensive rat pulmonary circulation

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2007 Dec;50(6):697-702. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0b013e3181593774.

Abstract

We have previously reported that vasoconstrictor sensitivity to KCl (a receptor-independent and voltage-gated Ca influx-mediated vasoconstrictor) is augmented in the chronically hypoxic hypertensive rat pulmonary circulation probably through increased Rho kinase-mediated Ca sensitization. However, the upstream mechanism by which the RhoA/Rho kinase signaling pathway is activated is unknown. This study examined if endogenous endothelin-1 (ET-1) and serotonin (5-HT) play roles in the Rho kinase-mediated augmented vasoconstrictor response to KCl and the activation of RhoA in chronically hypoxic hypertensive rat pulmonary arteries. The augmented KCl vasoconstriction in hypertensive lungs was reduced by the ETA receptor antagonist BQ123, while a dual ETA/B antagonist had no further effects. A combination of BQ123 and a 5-HT1B/1D receptor antagonist, GR127935, was more effective than either agent alone. The combined antagonists also reduced augmented contractile sensitivity to KCl in hypertensive intrapulmonary arteries. Membrane-to-cytosol ratio of RhoA expression in hypertensive arteries was greater than that in normotensive arteries and was reduced by BQ123 and GR127935. These results suggest that stimulation of ETA and 5-HT1B/1D receptors by endogenous ET-1 and 5-HT, respectively, is involved in RhoA/Rho kinase-mediated increased Ca sensitization in the chronically hypoxic hypertensive rat pulmonary circulation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amides / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Endothelin A Receptor Antagonists
  • Endothelin B Receptor Antagonists
  • Endothelin-1 / physiology*
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / metabolism*
  • Hypertension, Pulmonary / physiopathology
  • Hypoxia / physiopathology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology
  • Perfusion / methods
  • Potassium Chloride / pharmacology
  • Pulmonary Artery / drug effects
  • Pulmonary Artery / metabolism
  • Pulmonary Artery / physiopathology
  • Pulmonary Circulation / physiology
  • Pyridines / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Serotonin / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Vasoconstriction / drug effects
  • rho-Associated Kinases / metabolism*
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amides
  • Endothelin A Receptor Antagonists
  • Endothelin B Receptor Antagonists
  • Endothelin-1
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Pyridines
  • Y 27632
  • Serotonin
  • Potassium Chloride
  • rho-Associated Kinases
  • rhoA GTP-Binding Protein
  • J 104132
  • cyclo(Trp-Asp-Pro-Val-Leu)