Abstract-The dorsomedial portion of the nucleus tractus solitarius (dmNTS) is the site of termination of baroreceptor and cardiorespiratory vagal afferents and plays a critical role in cardiovascular regulation. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a powerful signaling molecule in dmNTS neurons and exerts some of its biological effects by modulating Ca 2ϩ currents via reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. We investigated whether a Nox2-containing NADPH oxidase is the source of the Ang II-induced ROS production and whether the signaling mechanisms of its activation require intracellular Ca 2ϩ or protein kinase C (PKC). Second-order dmNTS neurons were anterogradely labeled with 4-(4-[didecylamino]styryl)-N-methylpyridinium iodide transported from the vagus and isolated from the brain stem. ROS production was assessed in 4-(4-[didecylamino]styryl)-N-methylpyridinium iodide-positive dmNTS neurons using the fluorescent dye 6-carboxy-2Ј,7Ј-dichlorodihydro-fluorescein di(acetoxymethyl ester). Ang II (3 to 2000 nmol/L) increased ROS production in dmNTS neurons (EC 50 ϭ38.3 nmol/L). The effect was abolished by the ROS scavenger Mn (III) porphyrin 5,10,20-tetrakis (benzoic acid) porphyrin manganese (III), the Ang II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan, or the NADPH oxidase inhibitors apocynin or gp91ds-tat. Ang II failed to increase ROS production or to potentiate L-type Ca 2ϩ currents in dmNTS neurons of mice lacking Nox2. The PKC inhibitor GF109203X or depletion of intracellular Ca 2ϩ attenuated Ang II-elicited ROS production. We conclude that the powerful effects of Ang II on Ca 2ϩ currents in dmNTS neurons are mediated by PKC activation leading to ROS production via Nox2. Thus, a Nox2-containing NADPH oxidase is the critical link between Ang II and the enhancement of Key Words: arterial hypertension Ⅲ baroreflex Ⅲ calcium channels Ⅲ oxidative stress Ⅲ blood pressure Ⅲ autonomic nervous system A select group of brain stem nuclei regulates the systemic circulation by modulating cardiac output, vascular resistance, and fluid balance. 1,2 In particular, the dorsomedial region of the nucleus of the solitary tract (dmNTS), wherein vagal afferents from aortic baroreceptors and cardiorespiratory chemoreceptors terminate, plays a major role in cardiovascular regulation. [3][4][5] There is increasing evidence that angiotensin II (Ang II) is a critical neuromodulator in central autonomic nuclei, 6 -9 including the dmNTS. 10 -13 Within the dmNTS, activation of Ang II type 1 (AT 1 ) receptors alters cardiorespiratory reflexes including baroreceptor excitability and ion channel permeability. 10,14 These changes may contribute to Ang II-induced sympathoexcitation, 15-18 hypertension, 15,16 and heart failure. 17,18 Superoxide generated by the enzyme NADPH oxidase has emerged as a key intermediary in the central and peripheral effects of Ang II. 10,14 -16,18 -21 NADPH oxidase, initially described in neutrophils, 22,23 is now known to be present in diverse cell types, inc...

Members of the platelet-derived growth factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (PDGF/VEGF) family have been implicated in a variety of functions in vertebrates, especially angiogenesis. Here we identify and characterize a PDGF/VEGF-like factor (named PVF-1) from the nematode C. elegans. We show that PVF-1 has biochemical properties similar to vertebrate PDGF/VEGF growth factors. More important, PVF-1 binds to the human receptors VEGFR-1 (Flt-1) and VEGFR-2 (KDR) and is able to induce angiogenesis in two model systems derived from vertebrates. Our results highlight the widespread evolutionary conservation of this important class of growth factors and raise the possibility that C. elegans can provide a simple experimental system in which to investigate how these factors function.

Superoxide produced by the enzyme NADPH oxidase mediates crucial intracellular signaling cascades in the mNTS, a brain region populated by catecholaminergic neurons, as well as astroglia that play an important role in autonomic function. The mechanisms mediating NADPH oxidase (phox) activity in the neural regulation of cardiovascular processes are incompletely understood, however the subcellular localization of superoxide produced by the enzyme is likely to be an important regulatory factor. We used immunogold electron microscopy to determine the phenotypic and subcellular localization of the NADPH oxidase subunits p47 phox , gp91 phox, and p22 phox in the mNTS. The mNTS contains a large population of neurons that synthesize catecholamines. Significantly, catecholaminergic signaling can be modulated by redox reactions. Therefore, the relationship of NADPH oxidase subunit labeled neurons or glia with respect to catecholaminergic neurons was also determined by dual labeling for the superoxide producing enzyme and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine biosynthesis. In the mNTS, NADPH oxidase subunits were present primarily in somatodendritic processes and astrocytes, some of which also contained TH, or were contacted by TH labeled axons, respectively. Immunogold quantification of NADPH oxidase subunit localization showed that p47 phox and gp91 phox were present on the surface membrane, as well as vesicular organelles characteristic of calcium storing smooth endoplasmic reticula in dendritic and astroglial processes. These results indicate that NADPH oxidase assembly and consequent superoxide formation are likely to occur near the plasmalemma, as well as on vesicular organelles associated with intracellular calcium storage within mNTS neurons and glia. Thus, NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide may participate in intracellular signaling pathways linked to calcium regulation in diverse mNTS cell types. Moreover, NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide in neurons and glia may directly or indirectly modulate catecholaminergic neuron activity in the mNTS.

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Angiogenesis is a tightly regulated process, both during development and adult life. Animal models with mutations in the genes coding for placental growth factor (PlGF), a member of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, or the tyrosine kinase domain of the PlGF receptor (Flt-1) have revealed differences between normal physiological angiogenesis and pathological angiogenesis associated with conditions such as tumor growth, arthritis and atherosclerosis. In the present paper, we investigated the potential role of PlGF in regulating physiological angiogenesis by analyzing vascular changes in heart and skeletal muscles of wild-type and Plgf-/- mice following prolonged and sustained physical training. Sedentary Plgf-/- mice showed a reduced capillary density in both heart and skeletal muscles as compared to wild-type mice (P < 0.05). However, after a 6-week training period, heart/body weight ratio, citrate synthase activity, vessel density and capillary/myocyte ratio were significantly increased in both wild-type and Plgf-/- mice (all P < 0.05). At the same time intercapillary distance was significantly reduced. Finally, acute exercise was not associated with any change in PlGF protein level in the skeletal muscle. Our results demonstrate that PlGF is not necessary for exercise-training-induced angiogenesis. We thus suggest that the role of PlGF is confined to the selective regulation of angiogenesis only under pathological conditions.