Hydrogen sulfide regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): It is estimated that up to 20% of American adults suffer from sleep apnea with an increased risk of developing hypertension and vascular dysfunction. We have observed that simulating sleep apnea in rats by exposing them to intermittent hypoxia (IH) during sleep also increases blood pressure, augments constrictor sensitivity and impairs endothelial dilation. These vascular changes appear to be due in part to loss of the synthesis of the vasodilator, hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Proposed studies will evaluate the mechanisms of H2S- induced vasodilation and determine how IH exposure impairs H2S signaling to impair vasodilation. H2S is a recently described vasodilator produced in the vasculature by cystathionine gamma-lyase (CSE). H2S hyperpolarizes and relaxes vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) but much is still unknown about where, when and how it acts. Genetic deletion of CSE in mice elevates blood pressure and impairs endothelium- dependent dilation supporting its role as an important regulator of the vasculature. Our recent studies reveal that H2S causes vasodilation by activating large-conductance calcium-sensitive potassium channels (BKCa) in endothelial cells, eBK. This autocrine effect of H2S has not previously been investigated and is the focus of this proposal. CSE expression in EC is regulated by the transcription factor, NFATc3 and our data suggest IH decreases NFATc3 activation in EC leading to decreased CSE expression and impaired H2S- induced dilation. Our long term goal is to define H2S signaling in the vascular wall, to understand its regulation during intermittent hypoxia and to clarify its role in normal and pathological vascular function. The guiding hypothesis for the proposed studies that H2S activates eBK to mediate dilation and that IH disrupts this pathway by decreasing CSE expression. The first Aim of the project is to evaluate H2S activation of K+ channels in endothelial cells. The second Aim is to define the mechanism IH-induced decreases in CSE-dependent vasodilation expression. The third Aim is to Evaluate H2S regulation of blood flow in renal, mesenteric and hindquarters vascular beds determine how IH alters the regulation to contribute to elevated blood pressure. Together the proposed studies will define H2S signaling at molecular, tissue and whole animal levels to increase our understanding of how H2S contributes to cardiovascular control. Defining the causes of dysregulated H2S signaling in IH-exposed rats will also provide a rational basis for the future development of therapies targeting to effectively treat hypertension and peripheral vascular disease in the sleep apnea population.