No abstract

We studied the effects of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) on leukocyte-endothelial interaction after 60 min of splanchnic artery ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion (SAO/R) in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized rats via intravital microscopy. Treatment with the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP, 20 micrograms/kg bolus followed by infusion at 20 micrograms.kg-1.h-1), beginning 10 min before reperfusion, resulted in significantly decreased leukocyte-endothelial interaction. This was manifested by a significant decrease in leukocyte rolling and adherence in the postcapillary venules. Tissue protection was demonstrated by a significantly lower plasma free amino-nitrogen concentration in the SNAP-treated SAO/R rats compared with those receiving NO-depleted SNAP (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical localization of P-selectin showed significantly decreased P-selectin expression on the venular endothelium after SAO/R in rats given SNAP 10 min before reperfusion (23.0 +/- 3.2% vs. 54.9 +/- 12.1% positive staining, respectively, P < 0.01). From these data, we conclude that the effects of exogenous NO on leukocyte-endothelial interaction after ischemia-reperfusion appear to be at least partially mediated through the endothelial adhesion molecule P-selectin.

Abstract-Reactive oxygen species (ROS), produced by cellular constituents of the arterial wall, provide a signaling mechanism involved in vascular remodeling. Because adventitial fibroblasts are actively involved in coronary remodeling, we examined whether the changes in the redox state affect their phenotypic characteristics. To this end, superoxide anion production and NAD(P)H oxidase activity were measured in porcine coronary arteries in vivo, and the effect of ROS generation on adventitial fibroblast proliferation was examined in vitro. Superoxide production (SOD-and Tiron-inhibitable nitro blue tetrazolium [NBT] reduction) increased significantly within 24 hours after balloon-induced injury, with the product of NBT reduction present predominantly in adventitial fibroblasts. These changes were NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent, because diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) abolished superoxide generation (PϽ0.001). Furthermore, the injury-induced superoxide production was associated with augmented NAD(P)H oxidase activity and upregulation of p47 phox and p67 phox in adventitial fibroblasts (immunohistochemistry). Serum stimulation of isolated adventitial fibroblasts produced time-dependent increases in ROS production (peak 3 to 6 hours). The inhibition of ROS generation with NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor (DPI) or the removal of ROS with antioxidants (Tiron, catalase) abrogated proliferation of adventitial fibroblasts. These results indicate that vascular NAD(P)H oxidase plays a central role in the upregulation of oxidative stress after coronary injury, providing pivotal growth signals for coronary fibroblasts.

P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1), the primary ligand for P-selectin, is constitutively expressed on the surface of circulating leukocytes. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of leukocyte activation on PSGL-1 expression and PSGL-1-mediated leukocyte adhesion to P-selectin. PSGL-1 expression was examined via indirect immunofluorescence and flow cytometry before and after leukocyte stimulation with platelet activating factor (PAF) and PMA. Human neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils were all demonstrated to have significant surface expression of PSGL-1 at baseline, which decreased within minutes of exposure to PAF or PMA. PSGL-1 was detected in the supernatants of PAF-activated neutrophils by immunoprecipitation. Along with the expression data, this suggests removal of PSGL-1 from the cell surface. Soluble PSGL-1 was also detected in human bronchoalveolar lavage fluids. Down-regulation of PSGL-1 was inhibited by EDTA. However, inhibitors of L-selectin shedding and other sheddase inhibitors did not affect PSGL-1 release, suggesting that PSGL-1 may be shed by an as yet unidentified sheddase or removed by some other mechanism. Functionally, PSGL-1 down-regulation was associated with decreased neutrophil adhesion to immobilized P-selectin under both static and flow conditions, with the most profound effects seen under flow conditions. Together, these data indicate that PSGL-1 can be removed from the surface of activated leukocytes, and that this decrease in PSGL-1 expression has profound effects on leukocyte binding to P-selectin, especially under conditions of flow.

The role of P-selectin in leukocyte-endothelial interaction after splanchnic arterial occlusion and reperfusion (SAO/R) in pentobarbital-anesthetized rats was investigated employing a P-selectin-neutralizing monoclonal antibody (i.e., MAb PB1.3). MAb PB1.3 (1 mg/kg) given intravenously to SAO/R rats just before reperfusion significantly attenuated leukocyte rolling and adherence in mesenteric postcapillary venules as observed via intravital microscopy. Likewise, ileal myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was decreased from 4.6 +/- 0.6 in nontreated ischemic rats to 2.0 +/- 0.2 U/100 mg (P < 0.01), indicating a lesser degree of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) accumulation. A significantly lower plasma free amino-nitrogen concentration was observed in MAb PB1.3-treated rats vs. untreated (P < 0.01), suggesting decreased tissue injury after reperfusion. Immunohistochemical localization demonstrated significant expression of P-selectin in endothelial cells lining ileal postcapillary venules 30 min after reperfusion of the ischemic splanchnic circulation. Thus P-selectin appears to plays an important role in leukocyte accumulation after splanchnic ischemia-reperfusion, and the MAb PB1.3 attenuates the accumulation of PMNs in the ischemic-reperfused small bowel, resulting in reduced tissue injury.

No abstract

Background-Because saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) exhibit greater cellular heterogeneity and worse clinical outcomes than arterial grafts (AGs), we examined oxidative stress and lipid retention in different vascular conduits. Methods and Results-In a porcine model of graft interposition into carotid artery, superoxide anion (⅐O 2 Ϫ ) was measured at 2 weeks after surgery. SVGs demonstrated increased ⅐O 2 Ϫ production compared with AGs (SOD-inhibitable nitro blue tetrazolium reduction, PϽ0.01). The NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (PϽ0.01) abolished SVGderived ⅐O 2 Ϫ , whereas the inhibitors of other pro-oxidant enzymes were ineffective. The change in oxidative stress was also reflected by lower activity of the endogenous antioxidant superoxide dismutase in SVGs than in AGs (PϽ0.001). SVG remodeling was associated with increased synthesis of sulfated glycosaminoglycans and augmented expression of a core protein, versican. These changes were accompanied by SVGs retaining significantly more 125 I-labeled LDL than AGs ex vivo (PϽ0.001). In hyperlipemic animals, lipid accumulation and oxidized epitopes were preferentially noted in the intima of SVGs at 1 month after surgery. Conclusions-This study demonstrated significant differences in the biology of SVGs and AGs. SVGs exhibited higher oxidative stress, LDL accumulation, and the presence of oxidized epitopes. These findings suggest that proatherogenic changes in SVGs may commence early after surgical revascularization.

We studied endothelial dysfunction of the rabbit pulmonary artery following in vivo ischemia and reperfusion of the lung, and also investigated the mechanisms of endothelium-dependent relaxation in these arteries. Intrapulmonary arteries were isolated from rabbits subjected to ischemia and reperfusion of one lung. Percent relaxation values of sham-operated (i.e. nonischemic) pulmonary arteries to endothelium-dependent vasodilators acetylcholine (ACh) and A23187 were 72 ± 4 and 65 ± 4%, respectively, while relaxation to the endothelium-independent dilator NaNO₂ was 97 ± 1 %. The relaxation of control artery rings to ACh and A23187 were significantly decreased to 2 ± 1 and 5 ± 4%, respectively, following addition of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, while relaxation following treatment with indomethacin or glybenclamide remained normal. Relaxation to NaNO₂ was not altered by pretreatment with any of the above compounds. Thus, pulmonary artery relaxation to the endothelium-dependent dilators ACh and A23187 appears to be mediated by the release of EDRF. Endothelium-dependent relaxation of pulmonary arteries from lungs exposed to 90 min of ischemia and 30 min of reperfusion remained essentially normal, while 90 min of ischemia followed by 60 min of reperfusion resulted in a significant decrease in endothelium-dependent relaxation to A23187 to 37 ± 7% (p < 0.05), whereas the response to ACh was reduced only to 57 ± 3% (not significant). 90 min of ischemia followed by 90 min of reperfusion resulted in significant attenuation of endothelium-dependent relaxation to both ACh (36 ± 4%) and A23187 (33 ± 7%). Intrapulmonary artery rings from rabbits given superoxide dismutase starting 15 min before reperfusion showed an improved relaxation to ACh and A23187(55 ± 5 and 58 ± 11%, respectively, at 90 min of reperfusion). Thus, in vivo ischemia and reperfusion of the rabbit lung results in significant endothelial dysfunction which worsens with increasing reperfusion time. Some of the endothelial dysfunction appears to be related to superoxide radical formation.