Differential dependence of stretch and shear stress signaling on caveolin-1 in the vascular wall

• The role of caveolae in stretch- vs. flow-induced vascular responses was investigated using caveolin-1 deficient (KO) mice. Portal veins were stretched longitudinally for 5 min (acute) or 72 h (organ culture). Basal ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation were increased in organ-cultured KO veins, as were protein synthesis and vessel wall cross-section. Stretch stimulated acute phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and long-term phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and cofilin, but did not affect Akt phosphorylation. Protein synthesis, and particularly synthesis of smooth muscle differentiation markers, was increased by stretch. These effects did not differ in portal veins from KO and control mice, which also showed the same contractile response to membrane depolarization and inhibition by the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632. KO carotid arteries had increased wall cross-section and responded to pressurization (120 mmHg) for 1 h with increased ERK1/2 but not Akt phosphorylation, similar to control arteries. Shear stress by flow for 15 min, on the other hand, increased phosphorylation of Akt in carotids from control but not KO mice. In conclusion, caveolin-1 contributes to a low basal ERK1/2 and Akt activity and is required for Akt-dependent signals in response to shear stress (flow), but is not essential for trophic effects of stretch (pressure) in the vascular wall. Key words: Hypertrophy, vasoconstriction, vascular smooth muscle, endothelium, nitric oxide.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Fysiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Physiology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

vascular smooth muscle

endothelium

hypertrophy

vasoconstriction

nitric oxide

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)