The pulmonary endothelium is a critical, semi-selective cellular barrier which prevents the leakage of water, solutes, macromolecules and cells from the vasculature. Disruption of lung endothelial cell integrity results in alveolar flooding, hypoxemia and multi-organ dysfunction due to increases in both endothelial cell permeability and transendothelial leukocyte migration to the lung. Both of these important inflammatory processes can be attributed to increases in paracellular gaps which form between adjacent endothelium. Our previous studies have identified an important role for endothelial cell contractile forces in paracellular gap regulation and we have cloned several novel endothelial cell contractile elements which contribute to this contractile process including a novel endothelial cell myosin light chain kinase (EC MLCK) isoform. In this proposal, we will examine novel biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which endothelial contractile forces are initiated and maintained.
Specific Aim #1 will examine the interaction between p60src kinase, the p85 kD actin-binding protein, cortactin, and EC MLCK in the context of endothelial cell cytoskeletal rearrangement.
Specific Aim #2 will determine the exact contribution of Rho family GTPases to endothelial cell myosin phosphorylation, gap formation and permeability evoked by barrier-disrupting agonists.
Specific Aim #3 will identify the contributing role of the actin- and myosin- binding protein, caldesmon, in sustained endothelial cell contraction and endothelial cell barrier regulation. The very diversity of potential pathogenetic factors involved in vascular barrier dysfunction emphasizes that there is still much to be understood about the pathophysiology of this challenging disease. We speculate that the results obtained in this competitive renewal application will significantly impact our understanding of the initiating phases (SA #1 and SA #2) and the sustained phase (SA #3) of endothelial cell contraction and barrier regulation and allow us to develop new insights into this important aspect of lung inflammation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HL050533-09
Application #
6389292
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RAP (01))
Program Officer
Garfinkel, Susan J
Project Start
1994-06-01
Project End
2003-05-31
Budget Start
2001-06-01
Budget End
2002-05-31
Support Year
9
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$279,744
Indirect Cost
Name
Johns Hopkins University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
045911138
City
Baltimore
State
MD
Country
United States
Zip Code
21218
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Petrache, Irina; Birukov, Konstantin; Zaiman, Ari L et al. (2003) Caspase-dependent cleavage of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is involved in TNF-alpha-mediated bovine pulmonary endothelial cell apoptosis. FASEB J 17:407-16
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Bogatcheva, N V; Garcia, J G N; Verin, A D (2002) Molecular mechanisms of thrombin-induced endothelial cell permeability. Biochemistry (Mosc) 67:75-84
Liu, Feng; Schaphorst, Kane L; Verin, Alexander D et al. (2002) Hepatocyte growth factor enhances endothelial cell barrier function and cortical cytoskeletal rearrangement: potential role of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta. FASEB J 16:950-62

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