Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by activated leukocytes play an important role in the disruption of endothelial cell (EC) integrity, leading to barrier dysfunction and pulmonary edema. Although ROS modulate cell signaling, information remains limited regarding the mechanism(s) of ROS-induced EC barrier dysfunction. We utilized diperoxovanadate (DPV) as a model agent to explore the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of EC barrier function. DPV disrupted EC barrier function in a dose-dependent manner. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, genistein, and PP-2, a specific inhibitor of Src, reduced the DPV-mediated barrier dysfunction. Consistent with these results, DPV-induced Src activation was attenuated by PP-2. Furthermore, DPV increased the association of Src with cortactin and myosin light chain kinase, indicating their potential role as cytoskeletal targets for Src. Transient overexpression of either wild-type Src or a constitutively active Src mutant potentiated the DPV-mediated decline in barrier dysfunction, whereas a dominant negative Src mutant attenuated the response. These studies provide the first direct evidence for Src involvement in DPV-induced EC barrier dysfunction.

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We previously demonstrated that diperoxovanadate (DPV), a synthetic peroxovanadium compound and cell-permeable oxidant that acts as a protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor and insulinomimetic, increased phospholipase D (PLD) activation in endothelial cells (ECs). In this report, the regulation of DPV-induced PLD activation by mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was investigated. DPV activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAPK in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Treatment of ECs with p38 MAPK inhibitors SB-203580 and SB-202190 or transient transfection with a p38 dominant negative mutant mitigated the PLD activation by DPV but not by phorbol ester. SB-202190 blocked DPV-mediated p38 MAPK activity as determined by activated transcription factor-2 phosphorylation. Immunoprecipitation of PLD from EC lysates with PLD1 and PLD2 antibodies revealed both PLD isoforms associated with p38 MAPK. Similarly, PLD1 and PLD2 were detected in p38 immunoprecipitates from control and DPV-challenged ECs. Binding assays demonstrated interaction of glutathione S-transferase-p38 fusion protein with PLD1 and PLD2. Both PLD1 and PLD2 were phosphorylated by p38 MAPK in vitro, and DPV increased phosphorylation of PLD1 and PLD2 in vivo. However, phosphorylation of PLD by p38 failed to affect PLD activity in vitro. These results provide evidence for p38 MAPK-mediated regulation of PLD in ECs.