Search

Hypertension is a major risk factor for many common chronic diseases, such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, vascular dementia and chronic kidney disease. Pathophysiological mechanisms contributing to the development of hypertension include increased vascular resistance, determined in large part by reduced vascular diameter due to increased vascular contraction and arterial remodelling. These processes are regulated by complex interacting systems such as the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), sympathetic nervous system, immune activation and oxidative stress, which influence vascular smooth muscle function. Vascular smooth muscle cells are highly plastic and in pathological conditions undergo phenotypic changes from a contractile to a proliferative state. Vascular smooth muscle contraction is triggered by an increase in intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), promoting actin-myosin cross-bridge formation. Growing evidence indicates that contraction is also regulated by calcium-independent mechanisms involving RhoA-Rho kinase (ROCK), protein kinase C (PKC) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, reactive oxygen species and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Activation of immune/inflammatory pathways and noncoding RNAs are also emerging as important regulators of vascular function. Vascular smooth muscle cell [Ca2+]i, not only determines the contractile state but also influences activity of many calcium-dependent transcription factors and proteins thereby impacting the cellular phenotype and function. Perturbations in vascular smooth muscle cell signaling and altered function influence vascular reactivity and tone, important determinants of vascular resistance and blood pressure. Here we discuss mechanisms regulating vascular reactivity and contraction in physiological and pathophysiological conditions and highlight some new advances in the field, focusing specifically on hypertension.

SIGNIFICANCE: NADPH oxidases (Nox) of which there are 7 isoforms (Nox1-5, Duox1/Duox2) are professional oxidases functioning as ROS-generating enzymes. ROS are signaling molecules important in physiological processes. Increased ROS production and altered redox signaling in the vascular system have been implicated in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, and have been attributed, in part, to increased Nox activity. RECENT ADVANCES: Nox1,2,4,5 are expressed and functionally active in human vascular cells. While Nox1,2,4 have been well characterized in models of cardiovascular disease, little is known about Nox5. This may relate to the lack of experimental models because rodents lack NOX5. However, recent studies have advanced the field by i) elucidating mechanisms of Nox5 regulation, ii) identifying Nox5 variants, iii) characterizing Nox5 expression and iv) discovery of Nox5 crystal structure. Moreover, studies in human Nox5-expressing mice have highlighted a putative role for Nox5 in cardiovascular disease. CRITICAL ISSUES: Although growing evidence indicates a role for Nox-derived ROS in cardiovascular (patho)physiology, the exact function of each isoform remains unclear. This is especially true for Nox5. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Future directions should focus on clinically-relevant studies to discover the functional significance of Noxs, and Nox5 in particular, in human health and disease. Two important recent studies will impact future directions. Firstly, Nox5 is the first Nox to be crystalized. Secondly GWAS identified Nox5 as a novel blood pressure-associated gene. These discoveries, together with advancements in Nox5 biology and \ud biochemistry, will facilitate discovery of drugs th\ud at selectively target Noxs to interfere with \ud uncontrolled ROS generation.

No abstract available.

Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) expression is increased in adipose tissue from obese individuals and animals. We previously demonstrated that adipocyte-MR overexpression (Adipo-MROE) in mice is associated with metabolic changes. Whether adipocyte MR directly influences vascular function in these mice is unknown. We tested this hypothesis in resistant mesenteric arteries from Adipo-MROE mice using myography and in cultured adipocytes. Molecular mechanisms were probed in vessels/vascular smooth muscle cells and adipose tissue/adipocytes and focused on redox-sensitive pathways, Rho kinase activity, and protein kinase G type-1 (PKG-1) signaling. Adipo-MROE versus control-MR mice exhibited reduced vascular contractility, associated with increased generation of adipocyte-derived hydrogen peroxide, activation of vascular redox-sensitive PKG-1, and downregulation of Rho kinase activity. Associated with these vascular changes was increased elastin content in Adipo-MROE. Inhibition of PKG-1 with Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS normalized vascular contractility in Adipo-MROE. In the presence of adipocyte-conditioned culture medium, anticontractile effects of the adipose tissue were lost in Adipo-MROE mice but not in control-MR mice. In conclusion, adipocyte-MR upregulation leads to impaired contractility with preserved endothelial function and normal blood pressure. Increased elasticity may contribute to hypocontractility. We also identify functional cross talk between adipocyte MR and arteries and describe novel mechanisms involving redox-sensitive PKG-1 and Rho kinase. Our results suggest that adipose tissue from Adipo-MROE secrete vasoactive factors that preferentially influence vascular smooth muscle cells rather than endothelial cells. Our findings may be important in obesity/adiposity where adipocyte-MR expression/signaling is amplified and vascular risk increased.