title: Functional consequences of the collagen/elastin switch in vascular remodeling in hyperhomocysteinemic wild-type, eNOS-/-, and iNOS-/- mice.
abstract: A decrease in vascular elasticity and an increase in pulse wave velocity in hyperhomocysteinemic (HHcy) cystathionine-beta-synthase heterozygote knockout (CBS(-/+)) mice has been observed. Nitric oxide (NO) is a potential regulator of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in MMP-NO-tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) inhibitory tertiary complex. However, the contribution of the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms eNOS and iNOS in the activation of latent MMP is unclear. We hypothesize that the differential production of NO contributes to oxidative stress and increased oxidative/nitrative activation of MMP, resulting in vascular remodeling in response to HHcy. The overall goal is to elucidate the contribution of the NOS isoforms, endothelial and inducible, in the collagen/elastin switch. Experiments were performed on six groups of animals [wild-type (WT), eNOS(-/-), and iNOS(-/-) with and without homocysteine (Hcy) treatment (0.67 g/l) for 8-12 wk]. In vivo echograph was performed to assess aortic timed flow velocity for indirect compliance measurement. Histological determination of collagen and elastin with trichrome and van Gieson stains, respectively, was performed. In situ measurement of superoxide generation using dihydroethidium was used. Differential expression of eNOS, iNOS, nitrotyrosine, MMP-2 and -9, and elastin were measured by quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses. The 2% gelatin zymography was used to assess MMP activity. The increase in O(2)(-) and robust activity of MMP-9 in eNOS(-/-), WT+Hcy, and eNOS(-/-)+Hcy was accompanied by the gross disorganization and thickening of the ECM along with extensive collagen deposition and elastin degradation (collagen/elastin switch) resulting in a decrease in aortic timed flow velocity. Results show that an increase in iNOS activity is a key contributor to HHcy-mediated collagen/elastin switch and resulting decline in aortic compliance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA.
authors.forename: Mesia M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Steed
authors.forename: Neetu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tyagi
authors.forename: Utpal
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.forename: Dale A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Schuschke
authors.forename: Irving G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Joshua
authors.forename: Suresh C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Tyagi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism*; D003187:Compliance; D004549:Elastin / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C002744:3-nitrotyrosine; D014443:Tyrosine; D003094:Collagen; D004549:Elastin; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C496317:Nos2 protein, mouse; C496315:Nos3 protein, mouse; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9