An important function of the endothelium lining the inner surface of blood vessels is to provide a selective barrier between blood and the surrounding tissues. During the development of sepsis-induced acute lung injury (ALI) the pulmonary vascular endothelial barrier is disrupted, leading to increased permeability and massive leakage of protein rich fluids into alveoli leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In ALI, the increased generation of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) is involved in the disruption of the endothelial barrier. The role of the RNS, nitric oxide (NO) in regulating the endothelial barrier is complex. NO-cGMP signaling maintains the endothelial barrier under physiologic conditions, while the injurious effects of NO can be attributed to its reaction with superoxide to generate peroxynitrite. We have pioneered studies demonstrating the important role played by peroxynitrite, and protein nitration, in the development of sepsis-mediated ALI mediated via the activation of the barrier disruptive protein, RhoA. We have also recently shown that the nitration of protein kinase G-I? (PKG-I?) at tyrosine (Y) 247 attenuates its enzymatic activity. PKG-I? protects the endothelial barrier against injury via the activation of cAMP-PKA signaling and the suppression of RhoA signaling but through unresolved mechanisms. We have identified an inhibitory phosphorylation site on phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A, a major cAMP-degrading system in the lung endothelium) that is PKG-I? dependent. Thus, our data implicate PKG-I? as a critical regulator of endothelial barrier function in the lung. Based on these findings this proposal will test the overall hypothesis that peroxynitrite exerts direct effects on PKG-I? activity as well as indirect effects mediated, at least in part, via PDE3A-cAMP-PKA and the downstream modulation of RhoA and Rac1 signaling. We will also determine if preventing PKG-I? nitration is barrier protective in vitro and reduces lung injury in pre-clinical ARDS mouse models. We will also carry out genetic investigations to evaluate the influence of PDE3A non-synonymous coding small nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the development of ARDS in humans. We anticipate this proposal, using state-of- the-art cellular, molecular, biochemical, biophysical, genetic, and whole animal approaches will increase our understanding of the mechanisms by which interactions between PKG-I? and PKA regulate pulmonary endothelial barrier function under both physiologic and pathologic conditions. Further, our studies should facilitate the development of new strategies and targets for the treatment of ALI/ARDS, a disease that still has a mortality rate of >30%.
The overall goal of this application is to develop a better understanding of the mechanisms by which cyclic nucleotide crosstalk regulates endothelial barrier function and how this is disrupted during the development of ALI/ARDS. Emphasis is placed on understanding both novel mechanisms and on developing novel reagents to restore EC barrier function during ALI.
