Nitric-oxide synthase knockout modulates Ca²⁺-sensing receptor expression and signaling in mouse mesenteric arteries

J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2013 Jul;346(1):38-47. doi: 10.1124/jpet.113.205534. Epub 2013 May 2.

Abstract

Extracellular calcium (Ca²⁺(e))-induced relaxation of isolated, phenylephrine (PE)-contracted mesenteric arteries is dependent on an intact perivascular sensory nerve network that expresses the Ca²⁺-sensing receptor (CaSR). Activation of the receptor stimulates an endocannabinoid vasodilator pathway, which is dependent on cytochrome P450 and phospholipase A₂ but largely independent of the endothelium. In the present study, we determined the role of nitric oxide (NO) in perivascular nerve CaSR-mediated relaxation of PE-contracted mesenteric resistance arteries isolated from mice. Using automated wire myography, we studied the effects of NO synthase (NOS) gene knockout (NOS(-/-)) and pharmacologic inhibition of NOS on Ca²⁺(e)-induced relaxation of PE-contracted arteries. Endothelial NOS knockout (eNOS(-/-)) upregulates but neuronal NOS knockout (nNOS(-/-)) downregulates CaSR expression. NOS(-/-) reduced maximum Ca²⁺(e)-induced relaxation with no change in EC₅₀ values, with eNOS(-/-) having the largest effect. The responses of vessels to calindol and Calhex 231 indicate that the CaSR mediates relaxation. L-N⁵-(1-iminoethyl)-ornithine reduced Ca²⁺(e)-induced relaxation of PE-contracted arteries from C57BL/6 control mice by ≈38% but had a smaller effect in vessels from eNOS(-/-) mice. 7-Nitroindazole had no significant effect on relaxation of arteries from NOS(-/-) mice, but both N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methylester and N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine significantly reduced the relaxation maxima in all groups. Interestingly, the nNOS-selective inhibitor S-methyl-L-thiocitrulline significantly increased the EC₅₀ value by ≈60% in tissues from C57BL/6 mice but reduced the maximum response by ≈80% in those from nNOS(-/-) mice. Ca²⁺-activated big potassium channels play a major role in the process, as demonstrated by the effect of iberiotoxin. We conclude that CaSR signaling in mesenteric arteries stimulates eNOS and NO production that regulates Ca²⁺(e)-induced relaxation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / pharmacology
  • Calcium Signaling* / drug effects
  • Down-Regulation
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Mesenteric Arteries / drug effects
  • Mesenteric Arteries / innervation
  • Mesenteric Arteries / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nerve Net / drug effects
  • Nerve Net / enzymology
  • Nerve Net / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / agonists
  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation
  • Vasoconstriction / drug effects
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / pharmacology
  • Vasodilation / drug effects
  • Vasodilator Agents / pharmacology

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, Calcium-Sensing
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Nos1 protein, mouse
  • Nos3 protein, mouse