The overall objective of this proposal is to identify the role of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMT), the enzymes responsible for protein-arginine methylation and methylarginine synthesis, in the pathogenesis of chronic hypoxia induced pulmonary endothelial dysfunction as seen in pulmonary vascular disease. Although increased serum levels of asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, have been identified as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases including those associated with chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH), evidence from our laboratory indicates that increased plasma ADMA observed in disease may be a biomarker for changes in PRMT activity and that many of the endothelial effects attributed to ADMA are directly manifested through altered activity of PRMT. In this regard, our preliminary data support our overall hypothesis that in addition to competitive inhibition of eNOS activity by ADMA, modulation of eNOS-NO production occurs through direct protein-methylation events mediated by PRMT. Specifically, we demonstrate that eNOS is a substrate of PRMT and that increased methylation of eNOS protein in response to hypoxia may play a critical role in endothelial dysfunction as measured by decreased NO production. The goals of the current proposal are to: 1) Define the role played by the PRMT in hypoxia induced pulmonary endothelial dysregulation; 2) Identify the mechanism(s) by which the PRMT regulates eNOS activity in hypoxia induced pulmonary endothelial dysfunction; 3) Determine the role of dysregulated PRMT activity in the pathogenesis of hypoxia-induced PH.
The aims i n this proposal will be accomplished through the use of a combination of cellular, molecular, biophysical, and physiological approaches to characterize the role of the PRMT in endothelial function and its regulation by hypoxia using both in vitro and in vivo models. Results from these studies will provide fundamental mechanistic models through which PRMT modulates endothelial function as well as modulates susceptibility to, and progression of, PH.
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) whether primary or associated with other conditions is a devastating and poorly understood disease without a cure. The World Health Organization (WHO) has grouped PH into 6 distinct categories, which highlights the ubiquitous nature of this disease. Our ongoing research has uncovered new cellular pathways that may be broadly involved in the development of both systemic and pulmonary vascular diseases. Research supported by this grant will identify new targets for the treatment of PH and improve outcomes of patients with this condition.
