Histone methylation, a determinant of chromatin structure and gene transcription, was thought to be irreversible, but recent evidence suggests that lysine-specific demethylase-1 (LSD1, Kdm1a) induces demethylation of histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4) or H3K9 and thereby alters gene transcription. We previously demonstrated a human LSD1 phenotype associated with salt-sensitive hypertension. To test the hypothesis that LSD1 plays a role in the regulation of blood pressure (BP) via vascular mechanisms and gene transcription, we measured BP and examined vascular function and endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) expression in thoracic aorta of male wild-type (WT) and heterozygous LSD1 knockout mice (LSD1(+/-)) fed either a liberal salt (HS; 4% NaCl) or restricted salt diet (LS; 0.08% NaCl). BP was higher in LSD1(+/-) than WT mice on the HS diet but not different between LSD1(+/-) and WT mice on the LS diet. Further examination of the mechanisms of this salt-sensitive hypertension in LSD1(+/-) mice on the HS diet demonstrated that plasma renin activity and plasma levels and urinary excretion of aldosterone were less in LSD1(+/-) than WT, suggesting suppressed renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In contrast, phenylephrine (Phe)-induced aortic contraction was greater in LSD1(+/-) than WT mice on the HS diet. Treatment of aortic rings with 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; a blocker of guanylate cyclase) enhanced Phe contraction in LSD1(+/-) compared with WT mice on the HS diet. Acetylcholine (Ach)-induced relaxation was less in LSD1(+/-) than WT mice on the HS diet. Endothelium removal or pretreatment with N(ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (blocker of NOS) or ODQ abolished Ach-induced relaxation in aorta of WT but had minimal effect in LSD1(+/-). Vascular relaxation to sodium nitroprusside, an exogenous NO donor and guanylate cyclase activator, was decreased in LSD1(+/-) vs. WT mice on the HS diet. RT-PCR and Western blots revealed decreased eNOS mRNA expression and eNOS and guanylate cyclase protein in the heart and aorta of LSD1(+/-) compared with WT mice on HS diet. Thus, during the HS diet, LSD1 deficiency is associated with hypertension, enhanced vascular contraction, and reduced relaxation via NO-cGMP pathway. The data support a role for LSD1-mediated histone demethylation in the regulation of NOS/guanylate cyclase gene expression, vascular function, and BP during the HS diet.

Estrogen receptors (ERs) mediate genomic and nongenomic vasodilator effects, but estrogen therapy may not provide systemic vascular protection. To test whether this is due to regional differences in ER distribution or vasodilator activity, cephalic (carotid), thoracic (thoracic aorta, pulmonary) and abdominal arteries (abdominal aorta, mesenteric, renal) from female Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared to measure contraction to phenylephrine (Phe), and relaxation to acetylcholine (ACh) and the ER activators 17β-estradiol (E2) (all ERs), PPT (ERα), DPN (ERβ) and G1 (GPR30). Phe caused contraction that was enhanced in endothelium-denuded aorta, supporting endothelial release of vasodilators. In cephalic and thoracic arteries, ACh relaxation was abolished by the NOS inhibitor L-NAME, suggesting a role of NO. In mesenteric vessels, ACh-induced relaxation was partly inhibited by L-NAME+COX inhibitor indomethacin and blocked by the K+ channel blocker tetraethylammonium (TEA), suggesting a hyperpolarization pathway. E2 and PPT caused similar relaxation in all vessels. DPN and G1 caused smaller relaxation that was more prominent in abdominal vessels. RT-PCR revealed variable ERα mRNA expression, and increased ERβ in carotid artery and GPR30 in abdominal arteries. Western blots revealed greater amounts of ERα, ERβ and GPR30 in abdominal arteries. In thoracic aorta, E2, PPT and DPN-induced relaxation was blocked by L-NAME, and was associated with increased nitrite/nitrate production, suggesting a role of NO. In abdominal vessels, E2, PPT, DPN and G1-induced relaxation persisted in L-NAME+indomethacin+TEA-treated or endothelium-denuded arteries, suggesting direct effect on vascular smooth muscle (VSM). E2, PPT, DPN, and G1 caused greater relaxation of KCl-induced contraction in abdominal vessels, suggesting inhibitory effects on Ca2+ entry. Thus, E2 and ERα stimulation produce similar relaxation of the cephalic, thoracic and abdominal arteries. In the cephalic and thoracic arteries, particularly the thoracic aorta, E2-induced and ERα- and ERβ-mediated vasodilation involve NO production. ERβ- and GPR30-mediated relaxation is greater in the abdominal arteries, and appears to involve hyperpolarization and inhibition of VSM Ca2+ entry. Specific ER agonists could produce vasodilation in specific vascular beds without affecting other vessels in systemic circulation.