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Vascular Biology |
From the Department of Bioengineering (N.D., N.L., L.L., J.A.F.), University of California San Diego, and the Bioengineering Institute (K.S.B., H.Y.S., J.Y., L.A.O., J.A.F.), La Jolla, Calif.
Correspondence to John A. Frangos, PhD, La Jolla Bioengineering Institute, 505 Coast Boulevard South, La Jolla, CA 92037. E-mail frangos{at}ljbi.org
| Abstract |
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Methods and Results In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), immunofluorescence revealed strong eNOS membrane staining at the cellcell junction colocalizing with platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1). In PECAM-1 / mouse aorta, eNOS junctional localization seen in the wild type was absent. Similarly, junctional staining was lost in wild-type aorta near intercostal artery branches. eNOS/PECAM-1 association in HUVECs was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation. When HUVECs were subjected to a 0.5s impulse of 12 dynes/cm2, a transient disruption of the eNOS/PECAM-1 complex was observed, accompanied by an increase in eNOS activity (cGMP production). Ramped flow did not trigger complex dissociation or an increase in cGMP production. In a cell-free system, a direct inhibition of eNOS activity by PECAM-1 is shown.
Conclusions These results suggest that eNOS is complexed with PECAM-1 at the cellcell junction and is likely involved in the modulation of eNOS activity by FSS temporal gradients but not by FSS itself.
We hypothesized that the particular sublocalization of eNOS at the cellcell junction would render it responsive to activation by FSS temporal gradients. Our results suggest that eNOS is complexed with PECAM-1 at the cellcell junction and is likely involved in the modulation of eNOS activity by FSS temporal gradients.
Key Words: shear stress temporal gradients eNOS PECAM-1 endothelial
| Introduction |
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In vitro studies have shown a biphasic production of NO in response to flow. Sudden onset of flow induces a burst of NO production which is both calcium- (Ca2+) and G-proteindependent. In contrast, steady FSS that follows induces a lower but sustained release of NO and is both Ca2+- and G-proteinindependent.5 Moreover, the initial and transient production of NO is directly related to the rate of change in FSS rather than to its absolute magnitude, whereas the sustained release of NO is directly related to the level of FSS.5 Hence, shear-induced NO production appears to be a superposition of two independent mechanochemical pathways.6 However, the initial molecular events enabling eNOS to respond discriminantly to steady and unsteady flow are still not understood.
We hypothesized that the plasma membrane is a site of FSS mechanochemical transduction and that different plasmalemmal molecular mechanisms are involved in the transduction of constant FSS versus TG in FSS. We speculated that rapid changes in FSS will deform the plasma membrane at the interface with rigid domains. Such membrane deformation would lead to membrane protein signaling.7 Interestingly, caveolae, which, in contrast to the major part of the plasma membrane, appear as more rigid liquid-ordered domains, have been described as sites of eNOS activation after FSS.8 The glycocalyx has also been implicated as a mechanosensor structure.9,10 However, the role of glycocalyx components in modifying the shear stress response in ECs is still unclear. The cellcell junction is also such a rigid domain, characterized by a marked concentration of membrane-associated cytoskeletal elements, as well as numerous intercellular bridges that closely juxtapose the two plasma membranes of neighboring cells (platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 [PECAM-1] junction, adherence junction, tight junction, and gap junction).11 Therefore, we hypothesized that eNOS involved in the mechanotransduction of rapid changes in FSS would be localized at or near the cellcell junction. In contrast, we expect that steady FSS induces diffuse increases in membrane fluidity on the apical plasma membrane. Hence, eNOS involved in the mechanotransduction of steady FSS would be rather broadly distributed along the plasma membrane.
PECAM-1 is a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily localized at the cellcell junction of ECs, where it is involved in homophilic interactions with PECAM-1 of neighboring ECs.12 Interestingly, PECAM-1 has been shown to be tyrosine-phosphorylated in response to FSS stimulation.13 Furthermore, it has been suggested that PECAM-1 may function as an inhibitory receptor, interacting with various signaling molecules through its Src homology (SH2) containing protein tyrosine phosphatase (SHP-2) binding domain.14 Therefore, we hypothesized that PECAM-1 might interact with eNOS in primary ECs, hence providing a compartmentalization of eNOS with other signaling proteins, while localizing the enzyme in an area prone to sense any sudden change in membrane tension after a rapid change in FSS
The present study describes a series of experiments which have explored eNOS cellcell junction localization, eNOS interaction with PECAM-1, the dynamics of this association after different FSS stimulations, and concomitant eNOS activation.
| Methods |
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Slides were assembled into parallel plate flow chambers.16 Starvation medium was used as perfusion medium. Exposure of the cells to laminar FSS was accomplished using a syringe pump (Harvard Apparatus) driven by a computer, as described.17 At the end of varying periods of FSS, cells were dipped into ice-cold PBS and immediately lysed. Sham control cells were mounted onto the chamber but not subjected to shear.
Animals
All procedures were in accordance with institutional guidelines for animal research. PECAM-1 knockout mice (B6;129S-PECAMtm1Lex) and wild-type mice (B6;129SF2/J) were purchased from the Jackson Laboratory (Bar Harbor, Me). Animals were genotyped at the Jackson Laboratory and any offspring were genotyped in our laboratory.
Immunofluorescence
HUVECs on slides were fixed in 4% PBS-buffered paraformaldehyde (PFA) for 45 minutes at 4°C, treated with 25 mmol/L NH4Cl, and then permeabilized with 0.1% Triton X-100. For double labeling, HUVECs were successively incubated with: (1) 10% normal serum, (2) goat antiPECAM-1 IgG (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Santa Cruz, Calif; 1/50) and rabbit anti-eNOS IgG (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, 1/25), and (3) donkey anti-goat IgG (Alexa 488, Molecular Probes, Eugene, Ore) and donkey anti-rabbit (Alexa 568, Molecular Probes). Cells were washed with PBS between incubations. Slides were mounted with "Slow-Fade" reagent (Molecular Probes).
For en face deconvolution microscopy, mice were anesthetized with Ketamine 90 mg/kg/Xylazine 10 mg/kg, IP, and then perfused with ice-cold 4% PFA (15 minutes, 4°C). Aortas were carefully dissected; cross sectional segments were cut and then opened longitudinally. Branches and blood flow direction were recorded. Permeabilization and staining steps were similar to those for HUVECs, except nuclei were stained with DAPI (Molecular Probes). Preparations were mounted in Gelvatol.
Slides were observed under a DeltaVision deconvolution microscope system (Applied Precision Inc.) (For deconvolution methodology, see Falk).18
Please see http://atvb.ahajournals.org for a description of similar studies performed using en face confocal microscopy on rat aorta.
Cellular Lysates
HUVECs were harvested in octyl glucoside (OG) buffer (60 mmol/L OG, 50 mmol/L Tris·HCl, pH 7.4, 125 mmol/L NaCl, 2 mmol/L dithiothreitol, 50 µmol/L EGTA) with protease inhibitors and sonicated. Lysates were centrifuged to remove insoluble material and stored at 80°C.
Protein Assay
Protein in cell lysates was determined by a BCA protein assay (BioRad).
Coimmunoprecipitation
Aliquots of cell lysates (500 µg protein) were precleared for 1.5 hour (4°C) with Protein G-Agarose beads (Santa Cruz Biotechnology). Supernatants were incubated overnight with goat antiPECAM-1 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology) or rabbit anti-eNOS (Santa Cruz Biotechnology) polyclonal antibodies at a final concentration of 8 and 4 µg/mL, respectively. Antibody titration experiments (not shown) demonstrated that these concentrations led to the quantitative immunoprecipitation of PECAM-1 and eNOS, respectively, from cell lysates. Protein GAgarose beads were added for an additional 1.5 hour incubation (4°C). Bound immune complexes were washed 3 times with OG buffer and once with 50 mmol/L Tris · HCl (pH 7.4), 150 mmol/L NaCl. Immunoprecipitated proteins were released by boiling in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) sample buffer for 5 minutes.
Immunoblot
Denatured immunoprecipitated proteins were separated on 7.5% SDS-PAGE gels and transferred to polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). After blocking with 5% nonfat milk in Tris-buffered saline 0.1% Tween 20 (TBST), membranes were incubated with primary antibodies against eNOS (monoclonal, Transduction Labs) or PECAM-1 (Santa Cruz Biotechnology) for 1 hour in TBST/milk. Bound primary antibodies were detected with horseradish peroxidaseconjugated secondary antibodies: goatanti-mouse IgG (Pierce, 1/5000) and rabbit anti-goat IgG (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, 1/2500), respectively, followed by chemiluminescent SuperSignal substrate (Pierce). Band intensity was quantified on unsaturated X-ray film by a digital image analyzer (Quantity-One; BioRad). All comparisons were made relative to sham controls.
cGMP Accumulation
NO production in response to FSS was assessed by measuring intracellular accumulation of cGMP. HUVECs were treated with 0.5 mmol/L isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) for 30 minutes (to inhibit phosphodiesterases) and 6 mmol/L L-Arginine (substrate of eNOS) for 1 hour including FSS stimulation. Control cells (2 µmol/L ionomycin in DMSO or DMSO only) were used in each experiment. Subsequent steps were performed on ice with 0.5 mmol/L IBMX to prevent cGMP degradation. Cells were scraped in 500 µL 65% EtOH. Resulting extracts were centrifuged to eliminate the insoluble fraction. Supernatants were dried at 60°C in a SpeedVac and stored at 80°C. cGMP levels were measured using a cGMP enzyme immunoassay, following the acetylation procedure as recommended by the supplier (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). To normalize cGMP values, protein content was measured in each pellet.
eNOS Activity Assay
Please see http://atvb.ahajournals.org for a description of eNOS Activity Assay performed in a cell-free system.
Production of CD31 Cytoplamic Domain GST-Fusion Protein
Please see http://atvb.ahajournals.org for a description of the production of CD31 (PECAM-1) cytoplasmic domain GST-fusion protein, required for the eNOS Activity Assay.
Data Analysis
Data are presented as mean±SEM of the indicated number of observations or as percentage of control. Statistical comparisons between groups were performed using the Student t test with significance level of P<0.05.
| Results |
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As confluence increased, the emergence of a strong eNOS membrane staining was synchronous with the appearance of PECAM-1 staining at the cellcell junction (data not shown).
To confirm the physiological relevance of the results obtained in our in vitro model, the same staining procedure was performed on rat and mouse aortas. Please see http://atvb.ahajournals.org for results on rat tissue.
eNOS Was Present at the Cell Periphery in PECAM-1 +/+ Mouse Aorta But Was Absent in the Knockout Mouse
Deconvolution microscopy was used to visualize eNOS/PECAM-1 immunolocalization on a straight section of aorta from PECAM-1 knockout and wild-type mice (Figure 2). Antibodies and fixative used were the same as above. In the wild-type mouse aorta, eNOS staining presented the same pattern as the confluent HUVECs: a Golgi labeling and a strong peripheral staining (Figure 2B). PECAM-1 was also detected at the cell periphery (Figure 2A) and a predominant colocalization of the two proteins was observed at the cellcell junction (Figure 2C). In contrast, in PECAM-1 knockout mouse, the strong eNOS Golgi-like labeling remained but the peripheral staining was absent (Figure 2E and 2F). The absence of PECAM-1 protein in the aorta of PECAM-1 knockout mouse was confirmed (Figure 2D). These results clearly demonstrate that eNOS peripheral staining in mouse aorta endothelium is dependent on the presence of PECAM-1 at the cellcell junction.
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In Wild-Type Mouse Aorta, Peripheral eNOS Staining Was Absent From the Branch Point of the Intercostal Arteries
In straight sections of the aorta, endothelium is reportedly primarily exposed to unidirectional FSS with a high mean and small TG. In branched arteries, the ECs are believed to experience large TG in FSS with a low mean.3,4 Deconvolution microscopy was used to visualize eNOS/PECAM-1 immunolocalization near an intercostal artery branch in wild-type mouse aorta (Figure 3). Although antiPECAM-1 stained the cellcell junction strongly (Figure 3A), eNOS junctional staining was reduced (Figure 3B). However, the strong Golgi-like eNOS labeling was still present. Consequently, eNOS/PECAM-1 colocalization was barely detected at the cellcell junction (Figure 3C). Such results suggest that chronic TGs in FSS disrupt eNOS/PECAM-1 colocalization.
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eNOS Coimmunoprecipitated With PECAM-1 and PECAM-1 Interaction Decreased eNOS Activity In Vitro
Based on the prominent colocalization of eNOS and PECAM-1 within confluent HUVECs, we next investigated whether the two proteins interacted biochemically at the cellcell junction. For this purpose, detergent-soluble lysates were prepared from confluent serum-starved HUVECs, and both eNOS and PECAM-1 were immunoprecipitated. OG detergent preserves only direct proteinprotein interactions. To further enhance the stringency of the immunoprecipitation process, a high ionic strength wash buffer, containing 150 mmol/L NaCl, was used. As seen in Figure 4, immunoprecipitation of eNOS coimmunoprecipitated PECAM-1 from HUVECs extracts (Figure 4A), and conversely, immunoprecipitation of PECAM-1 coimmunoprecipitated eNOS (Figure 4B).
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To determine the effects of PECAM-1 interaction with eNOS in vitro, we measured the effect of PECAM-1 on eNOS activity using recombinant proteins. We found that 20 µmol/L GST-PECAM-1 inhibited eNOS activity by 36% compared with 20 µmol/L GST alone (Figure 4C).
FSS Caused eNOS Dissociation From PECAM-1
To determine whether the eNOS/PECAM-1 complex is indeed affected by FSS, highly confluent serum-starved HUVECs were subjected to three different profiles of FSS. TGs in FSS were generated by a sudden onset of FSS (0.5s at 12 dynes/cm2 or 24 dynes/cm2), which we have referred to as an "impulse" in previous studies.6 To apply similar levels of FSS without significant TG, we used a slow ramping in flow over 30s, which reached 24 dynes/cm2 and stayed at this level for 0.5s before ramping down to 0 dynes/cm2 over 30s. Repeated high shear gradients experienced by ECs at branch points were simulated by "pulsatile flow" (repeated impulses; 0.5s every 3 seconds for 30 minutes at 12 dynes/cm2).
A 0.5s impulse of 12 dynes/cm2 resulted in a rapid disruption of the eNOS/PECAM-1 complex (Figure 5A and 5B) within 7s, which was maximal after 15s. After that time, the proteins rapidly reassociated. The reassociation of the complex reached a maximum between 45s and 1 minute. The exact time of the complex reformation varied slightly between these two time points from experiment to experiment, a variation which we attributed to differences in HUVEC batches, but was consistent within duplicate analyses of a single batch. The levels of eNOS immunoprecipitated with PECAM-1 subsequently returned to their prestimulation level. Sham controls (0s in Figure 5A and 5B) were used to normalize immunoprecipitation results. This allowed us to eliminate artifact due to any mechanical stimulation incidentally applied to the cells while mounting the slides on the flow chamber, as well as artifact possibly induced by postshear treatment of the cells. Detergent-soluble lysates were prepared at various times after FSS and PECAM-1 protein was quantitatively immunoprecipitated. As shown in Figure 5C, where eNOS and PECAM-1 binding was assessed 30s after the end of the FSS, the slowly ramping flow (24 dynes/cm2) did not trigger eNOS/PECAM-1 dissociation, although it generated much more shear than the impulse. This clearly demonstrates that eNOS/PECAM-1 dissociation is triggered by a TG of FSS rather than by the FSS itself.
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Cells subjected to pulsatile flow for 30 minutes showed a partial dissociation of the eNOS/PECAM-1 complex (Figure 5D). This is consistent with the in vivo observation of a reduced junctional eNOS staining near intercostal artery branches, where ECs are exposed to repeated high TGs in FSS. Results observed after a single impulse in FSS were similar to those obtained after a pulsatile FSS. This suggests that data obtained from single impulse studies are good indicators of the in vivo effects of high TGs in FSS. However, the response to the pulsatile FSS was less marked than the response to the single impulse. This could indicate some degree of acclimatization of the cells to a repeated impulse stimulus.
A 2-Fold Augmentation of cGMP Accumulation Was Observed After Impulse
The role of eNOS/PECAM-1 dissociation on eNOS activity was indirectly measured by assessing the cGMP amount accumulated within HUVECs at various times after FSS. A nearly 2-fold augmentation of cGMP accumulation was observed 1 minute after an impulse in FSS compared with sham controls (Figure 6A). No further FSS-induced cGMP production was detected after this time, indicating that cGMP synthesis is very rapidly triggered and downregulated within the first minute after FSS. This time frame is identical to the one of the eNOS/PECAM-1 complex dissociationreassociation. No augmentation of cGMP production was observed during the first five minutes after slow ramping in flow (24 dynes/cm2), but large quantities of cGMP were produced when cells were exposed to an impulse of the same intensity (Figure 6B).
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| Discussion |
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The eNOS/PECAM-1 colocalization we observed in human primary endothelial cells mimics the staining pattern previously reported in immortalized murine microvascular ECs and native rat cardiac endothelium.19,20 Its physiological relevance is further strengthened here by the demonstration of eNOS/PECAM-1 colocalization in rat and mouse aorta. The conservation of this colocalization through three species suggests that it has an important function. The correlation between cell confluence, PECAM-1 appearance, and eNOS presence at the cellcell junction confirms published observations using an immortalized murine EC line.19 In addition, the results obtained with PECAM-1 knockout mice are consistent with the notion that PECAM-1 presence at the cellcell junction is necessary for eNOS peripheral localization. The colocalization of eNOS and PECAM-1 immunostaining is corroborated by the coimmunoprecipitation of these two molecules. This procedure was performed under highly stringent conditions which preserve only direct proteinprotein bindings, eliminating any weak interactions. Together with the demonstration that PECAM-1 directly inhibits eNOS activity in the purified protein preparation (Figure 4), this strongly suggests that the two proteins form a direct and tight association.
The close association of eNOS with PECAM-1 is important in light of recent developments in PECAM-1 biology. PECAM-1 has recently been suggested to function as a mechanotransducing protein13 and has been shown to be tyrosine-phosphorylated within 1 minute in ECs exposed to a "step change" in FSS.13 Furthermore, the activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), one of the early EC responses to FSS, has been shown to be dependent on PECAM-1 phosphorylation. The recruitment and binding of SHP-2 to phospho-PECAM-1 at the cell periphery eventually triggers activation of ERK.13 Interestingly, we have recently shown that ERK activation is more specifically sensitive to TG in FSS.15 The tyrosine phosphorylation of PECAM-1 occurs in a time frame similar to that of the eNOS/PECAM-1 dissociation observed in our study. A recent article by Jin et al suggests that flow-stimulated tyrosine kinases recruit phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mediate activation of Akt and eNOS.21 Whether, and to what extent, these events are intertwined is presently unknown.
The fact that the eNOS/PECAM-1 was not affected by a slow ramping FSS, even at high shear levels, strongly suggests that this mechanoreceptive system is specific to rapid changes in FSS. The localization of the complex at the cellcell junction is consistent with this discriminatory ability because it is located in a region of the membrane presumably sheltered from the FSS itself. In fact, one would expect mechanotransductory molecules sensitive to the FSS (and not the TG of shear stress) to be concentrated at the apex of the apical surface of the cell, where the FSS is maximal.22
During recent years, several groups have demonstrated that activation of eNOS, both in conjunction with and independent of intracellular calcium flux, occurs through the allosteric binding of eNOS with neighboring regulatory proteins. In this regard, several eNOS-associated proteins have been identified, including calmodulin, Caveolin-1, Hsp 90, dynamin, NOSIP, and some G proteincoupled receptors (for detailed review see Fleming et al).23 In addition, most of the kinases known to phosphorylate eNOS, notably on serine 1177, are believed to be concentrated near eNOS through a scaffold protein. Our data suggest that PECAM-1 is also involved in an eNOS signaling complex at the cellcell junction. Currently, we are investigating which other known eNOS-associated proteins might be present in the eNOS/PECAM-1 complex.
In conclusion, we have shown that eNOS is closely associated with PECAM-1 at the cellcell junction and that this complex is dissociated by TG in FSS but not by FSS itself. Current studies focus on the role of intracellular calcium and G proteins on eNOS/PECAM-1 association as well as on eventual interactions of eNOS/PECAM-1 with previously described eNOS-associated proteins.
| Acknowledgments |
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Received December 23, 2003; accepted July 22, 2004.
| References |
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