H. Jerius et al., Endothelial-dependent vasodilation is associated with increases in the phosphorylation of a small heat shock protein (HSP20), J VASC SURG, 29(4), 1999, pp. 678-684
Citations number
26
Categorie Soggetti
Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems","Cardiovascular & Hematology Research
Purpose: Increases in the phosphorylation of a small heat shock protein (HS
P20) are associated with cyclic nucleotide-dependent vasorelaxation. The ef
fect-of pressure and now on vessel diameter was studied. We hypothesized th
at physiologic conditions that induce vasorelaxation would lead to increase
s in HSP20 phosphorylation.
Methods: Flow-dependent changes in vessel diameter, at different intralumin
al pressures, were measured with a laser optical micrometer in intact bovin
e carotid arteries. Experiments were performed in the presence and absence
of norepinephrine (10(-5) moI/L). Increases in the phosphorylation of HSP20
were determined with isoelectric focusing immunoblots.
Results: The increase in vessel diameter was most significant at low intral
uminal pressures (20 mm Hg), high flow rates (200 mL/min), and in the prese
nce of the vasoconstrictor norepinephrine (10(-5) mol/L). The addition of m
ethylene blue (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) completely inhibited now-indu
ced vasodilation. Under conditions in which maximal flow induced vasodilati
on occurred, there were significant-increases in the phosphorylation of HSP
20.
Conclusion: Flow-dependent vasodilation in isolated perfused segments of bo
vine carotid arteries was maximal when the intraluminal pressures were low
and when the vessels were precontracted with norepinephrine. Flow-dependent
vasodilation was inhibited by methylene blue and was associated with incre
ases in the phosphorylation of HSP20, suggesting, that the vasodilation was
mediated by endothelial production of nitric oxide.