Chronic inhibition of PPAR-γ signaling induces endothelial dysfunction in the juvenile lamb

Shruti Sharma, Jubilee Barton, Ruslan Rafikov, Saurabh Aggarwal, Hsuan Chang Kuo, Peter E. Oishi, Sanjeev A. Datar, Jeffrey R. Fineman, Stephen M. Black

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have recently shown that the development of endothelial dysfunction in lambs with increased pulmonary blood flow (PBF) correlates with a decrease in peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) signaling. Thus, in this study we determined if the loss of PPAR-γ signaling is necessary and sufficient to induce endothelial dysfunction by exposing lambs with normal PBF to the PPAR-γ antagonist, GW9662. Two-weeks of exposure to GW9662 significantly decreased both PPAR-γ protein and activity. In addition, although eNOS protein and nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) were significantly increased, endothelial dependent pulmonary vasodilation in response to acetylcholine was attenuated, indicative of endothelial dysfunction. To elucidate whether downstream mediators of vasodilation were impaired we examined soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)-α and β subunit protein, cGMP levels, and phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) protein and activity, but we found no significant changes. However, we found that peroxynitrite levels were significantly increased in GW9662-treated lambs and this correlated with a significant increase in protein kinase G-1α (PKG-1α) nitration and a reduction in PKG activity. Peroxynitrite is formed by the interaction of NO with superoxide and we found that there was a significant increase in superoxide generation in GW9662-treated lambs. Further, we identified dysfunctional mitochondria as the primary source of the increased superoxide. Finally, we found that the mitochondrial dysfunction was due to a disruption in carnitine metabolism. We conclude that loss of PPAR-γ signaling is sufficient to induce endothelial dysfunction confirming its important role in maintaining a healthy vasculature.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)271-280
Number of pages10
JournalPulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
Volume26
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2013

Keywords

  • Carnitine metabolism
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction
  • NO signaling
  • Oxidative stress

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
  • Biochemistry, medical
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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