Effects of hypoxia on endothelin-1 sensitivity in the corpus cavernosum.
The penis remains in a hypo-oxygenated, flaccid state for a large majority of the time. In this study, we investigated the effect of changing oxygen tension on the expression and functional activity of endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptors in the penis. Experiments were performed in rabbit and human corpora cavernosa (CC) as well as in human fetal penile tissue and cell cultures [human fetal penile endothelial cells (hfPECs) and human fetal smooth muscle cells (hfPSMCs)]. Endothelin A (ETA) receptors are expressed by both endothelial and muscular cells in all tissues investigated. Only penile endothelial cells express endothelin B (ETB) receptors, which are further turned on during experimental hypoxia. In addition, hypoxia also allows ETB expression in the muscular compartment without affecting ETA expression. This hypoxia-induced over-expression of ETB decreased the contractile activity of ET-1 and increased ETB-mediated relaxation. The latter was essentially related to increased ETB-mediated nitric oxide formation in hfPEC and even in hfPSMC. Hypoxia also induced a time-dependent down-regulation of RhoA and Rho kinase (ROK) expression which, in turn, participated in the decreased contractile activity of ET-1 in the hypoxic penile tissue. Accordingly, during hypoxia, an ROK inhibitor, Y27632, was less effective in relaxing ET-1-precontracted strips. In conclusion, prolonged (24 h) hypoxia stimulated several counter-regulatory mechanisms in penile tissue, including up-regulation of ETB and down-regulation of RhoA/ROK pathways, which may help to preserve CC hypo-oxygenation, allowing smooth muscle relaxation and, most probably, penile erection.
Filippi
S
S
Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Italy.
Marini
M
M
Vannelli
G B
GB
Crescioli
C
C
Granchi
S
S
Vignozzi
L
L
Luconi
M
M
Ferruzzi
P
P
Morelli
A
A
Forti
G
G
Ledda
F
F
Maggi
M
M
D000818:Animals; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007120:Immunochemistry; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A / Q000032:analysis; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B / Q000032:analysis; D015398:Signal Transduction
D019332:Endothelin-1; D044022:Receptor, Endothelin A; D044023:Receptor, Endothelin B