Analysis of the nitric oxide production pathway in venous endothelial cells from rats

• Grant number: 15/23584-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2016
• End date: March 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Cardiorenal Pharmacology
• Principal Investigator: Liliam Fernandes
• Grantee: Henrique Charlanti Reis Assunção
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The endothelial cell plays a key role throughout the circulation in view of the generation of Endothelium Derived Relaxing Factors [nitric oxide (NO), prostacyclin and hyperpolarizing factor derived from the endothelium] and Endothelium Derived Contracting Factors [prostaglandin H2 and thromboxane A2, reactive oxygen species, and peptides angiotensin II (Ang II) and endothelin (ET-1)]. In view of its effects on vasodilation, inhibition of proliferation of smooth muscle cells and inhibition of platelet adhesion, NO is a key modulator of vascular physiology. In the endothelium NO is synthesized from the action of the endothelial NO synthase (NOS3 or eNOS), which catalyzes the oxidation of L-arginine (L-arg) to form L-citrulline and NO. The eNOS is located in small invaginations in the cell membrane known as caveolae, microdomains concentrating a variety of signaling molecules. However, little is known about the release of this mediator by venous endothelial cells. Likewise, it is described that the vasoconstrictor actions of Ang II and ET-1 in venous beds are effectively modulated by the endothelial cell, however, important aspects of this modulation remain unknown, especially at cellular levels. Considering that Ang II and ET-1 are very important pharmacological targets in cardiocirculatory therapy adopted in various pathological situations, the more enhanced understanding of these issues appears to be timely and relevant. Therefore, the present study aims to analyse the NO generation in primary cultured endothelial cells from portal vein and vena cava of rats, before and after the stimulation with Ang II and ET-1, investigating in parallel the expression of the enzyme eNOS on these cultures.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

TRINDADE, MARCIO RENATO; REIS ASSUNCAO, HENRIQUE CHARLANTI; TORRES, TATHIANY CORTEZE; BERTOLINO, JESSICA SILVA; FERNANDES, LILIAM. Venous endothelium reactivity to Angiotensin II: A study in primary endothelial cultures of rat vena cava and portal vein. Experimental Cell Research, v. 362, n. 1, p. 188-194, JAN 1 2018. (14/18760-4, 15/23584-3)